ABSTRACT Introduction: Access represents one of the main challenges in performing posterior urethroplasty (1, 2). Several approaches and tactics have been previously described (3). This video demonstrates the Anterior Sagittal Transrectal Approach (ASTRA), which allows better visualization of the deep perineum (4). Materials and Methods: Our patient was a 65-year-old man with post radical prostatectomy vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis. He failed repeated endoscopic interventions, eventually developing urinary retention and requiring a cystostomy. We offered a vesicourethral anastomotic repair through ASTRA. The patient was placed in the jackknife position and methylene blue instilled through the cystostomy. To optimize access to the bladder neck, an incision of the anterior border of the rectum is performed. Anastomosis is carried out with six 4-0 PDS sutures. These are tied using a parachute technique, after insertion of a 16F Foley. Results: The patient was discharged after 72 hours, and the Foley catheter was removed after 4 weeks. There were no access-related complications. Retrograde urethrogram 3 months after surgery confirmed patency of the anastomosis. Upon review 5 months after surgery the patient had urinary incontinence requiring 5 pads/day and was considered for an artificial urinary sphincter. Discussion: In our series of 92 patients who have undergone reconstructive procedure through ASTRA there have been no cases of fecal incontinence. Two patients with prior history of radiotherapy developed rectourethral fistulas. Urinary incontinence was observed in those patients with stenosis after radical prostatectomy. Conclusion: This video presents a step-by-step description of ASTRA, an approach that provides excellent visualization to the posterior urethra, representing an alternative access for repair of complex posterior urethral stenosis.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tissue transfer has been used in urethral reconstruction for decades, and several grafts have been described (1, 2). The ideal graft would have optimal tissue characteristics and lead to minimal morbidity at the donor site. Urethroplasty using bladder mucosa was first described by Memmelaar in 1947 (3). The main limitation in using bladder mucosal grafts has been the invasiveness of open harvesting (4). We describe an endoscopic technique using Holmium: YAG laser to harvest bladder mucosal graft for substitution urethroplasty. Methodology: A 33-year-old male with no history of urethral instrumentation, trauma, or infection presented with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. On retrograde urethrogram a 6cm bulbar urethral stricture was identified. Several options were discussed, and the patient opted for a one-sided onlay dorsal urethroplasty (5) using a bladder mucosal graft. Equipment used to harvest the graft included an 18.5Fr continuous flow laser endoscope with a Kuntz working element (RZ) and a 60W Holmium Laser (Quanta) with 550μm laser fiber. The procedure was started by making a perineal incision, urethral mobilization and incision of the stricture segment. The laser endoscope was then introduced via the perineum. Settings of 0.5J, 30 Hz, and long pulse were used and a 7 x 2.5cm graft was harvested from the posterior bladder wall. Hemostasis of the harvest site was performed. The bladder mucosal graft was thinned in similar fashion to a buccal mucosal graft and sutured as per previously described techniques. Conclusion: Endoscopic Holmium Laser harvesting of bladder mucosal graft is feasible and may allow this graft to become an alternative to buccal mucosa. Further studies are required to define its role in urethral reconstruction.

Objectives: Frequently, the term "quality of life" has been used to justify personal and professional decisions in all fields of medicine. Nowadays, quality of life studies are based on development and validation of sensitive measures of patient outcomes, incorporating functional status and perceived health status. Thus, quality of life has become an outcome as important as survival and effectiveness. Methods: A systematic review using Pubmed and Medline was performed, searching for papers concerning health related quality of life and urology. The most relevant articles where questionnaires and interviews were described and validated were listed. Results: Based on psychometric proprieties, a search between 1970 and 2007 identified a total of 25 recommendable articles with generic inventories and specific modules that have been developed, validated and used in clinical practice or research. Historical aspects, quality of life concepts, validation of questionnaires and structured interviews, and most used instruments in generic health-related quality of life, general urology and urological oncology have been discussed. Conclusions: A brief review of historic background of health related quality of life and urology was performed.

Objetivo: Con frecuencia, el término "calidad de vida" había sido utilizado para justificar decisiones personales y profesionales en todos los campos de la medicina. Hoy en día, el estudio de la calidad de vida se basa en el desarrollo y la validación de mediciones sensibles de los resultados de los pacientes incorporando el estado funcional con la percepción del estado de salud. Así, la calidad de vida (CV) se ha convertido en un resultado tan importante como la supervivencia y la eficacia. Métodos: Una revisión sistemática usando Pubmed y Medline fue realizada, buscando artículos referentes a calidad de vida relacionados con la salud y la urología. Los artículos más relevantes donde los cuestionarios y las entrevistas fueron descritos y validados han sido listados y revisados. Resultados: Una búsqueda entre 1970 y 2007 identificó un total de 25 artículos relacionados recomendables. De acuerdo con propiedades de la psicometría, los cuestionarios genéricos y los módulos específicos que se han desarrollado, validado y utilizado en la práctica e investigación clínica. Los aspectos históricos, definiciones relacionadas con la calidad de vida, validación de cuestionarios y estructuración de entrevistas, han sido utilizados en instrumentos que relacionan la calidad de vida a la salud general, urología general y la oncología urológica. Conclusiones: Se realizo una revisión bibliográfica acerca de los aspectos históricos sobre calidad de vida y el estado de salud y como se interrelacionan en el área de la urología, verificándose su importancia actual en la práctica médica.