Recent Advances in Reconstructive Urology and Prosthetic Surgery

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Nephrology & Urology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 3749

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Hospital Santa María, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: male and female lower urinary tract reconstruction; complications of pelvic cancers treatments; male sexual health problems; urologic prosthetic surgery (penile implants, artificial urinary sphincters, slings); gender-affirming surgery; pelvic organ prolapse and GU fistula surgery

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Guest Editor
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
Interests: sexual medicine; transgender surgery/medicine; phalloplasty; vaginoplasty; medical education; translational research; quality improvement

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Guest Editor
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Department of Urology, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
Interests: complications from urologic cancer treatment; urethral stricture disease; penile implant surgery; male anti-incontinence surgery; peyronie’s disease; open and robotic urinary tract reconstruction; genitourinary trauma/injury; revision male urologic prosthetic surgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled ‘Recent Advances on Reconstructive Urology and Prosthetic Surgery’, which is to be published in JCM/Urology. This challenging project will include a collection of up-to-date reviews and original research articles covering both current topics and recent innovations in three fields of urologic reconstruction: (1) lower urinary tract reconstruction using traditional, open procedures or minimally invasive techniques to treat lower urinary tract problems resulting from trauma and pelvic cancer treatment strategies; (2) the diagnosis and surgical management of male sexual health problems; and (3) gender-affirming surgical reconstruction including still unresolved technical challenges and psychological issues.

Dr. Francisco E. Martins
Dr. Maurice Garcia
Dr. Jay Simhan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • male and female urogenital reconstruction
  • urologic trauma
  • urologic prosthetics
  • erectile dysfunction
  • urinary incontinence
  • artificial urinary sphincter
  • gender-affirming surgery
  • transgender
  • phalloplasty
  • vaginoplasty

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4662 KiB  
Article
Safety and Effectiveness of G-Mesh® Gynecological Meshes Intended for Surgical Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse—A Retrospective Analysis
by Maciej Wilczak, Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska, Mariusz Wójtowicz, Przemysław Kądziołka, Paulina Paul, Aleksandra Gajdzicka, Kaja Jezierska and Witold Sujka
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(23), 7421; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13237421 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 988
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of POP in women ranges from 30–40%, with 10–20% requiring surgical intervention. Annually, over 225,000 surgical procedures for POP are performed in the United States. The severity of prolapse is assessed using the four-stage POP-Q system, which facilitates clinical research [...] Read more.
Background: The prevalence of POP in women ranges from 30–40%, with 10–20% requiring surgical intervention. Annually, over 225,000 surgical procedures for POP are performed in the United States. The severity of prolapse is assessed using the four-stage POP-Q system, which facilitates clinical research by providing a standardized measure of defect severity. Surgical intervention is indicated for more severe cases, with various techniques available through vaginal or abdominal access. Synthetic meshes, primarily made of polypropylene (PP), are commonly used in POP surgeries due to their biocompatibility and mechanical support. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a non-resorbable, light polypropylene gynecological mesh (G-Mesh®, Tricomed S.A., Łódź, Poland) in the surgical treatment of pelvic floor prolapse in women. Methods: The meshes were implanted via laparoscopy (Dubuisson method) and laparotomy or transvaginally. A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted involving 81 patients aged 28–83. Results: The results collected at three follow-up visits indicated a high level of patient satisfaction, minimal discomfort, and no significant pain. Many patients emphasized significant improvement in quality of life and the lack of any adverse events associated with the presence of the implant. Conclusions: The G-Mesh® gynecological mesh has emerged as an effective and safe intervention for treating pelvic floor dysfunction in women, addressing conditions such as cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse, and ureterocele. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Reconstructive Urology and Prosthetic Surgery)
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15 pages, 5124 KiB  
Article
Functionality and Scar Evaluation of the Donor Site in Extended Radial Forearm Flap Phalloplasty: How Affected Is the Arm in Day-to-Day Life?
by Mahmut Ozturk, Sascha Wellenbrock, Philipp Wiebringhaus, Marie-Luise Aitzetmüller-Klietz, Lara Küenzlen, Anna Burger, Sahra Nasim, Tobias Hirsch, Matthias Aitzetmüller-Klietz, Baksan Tav and Ulrich M. Rieger
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(19), 6004; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13196004 - 9 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2137
Abstract
Background: The radial forearm flap remains the gold standard in phalloplasty in gender-affirming surgery due to its versatility and functional outcome, but the significant donor site morbidity and its impact on daily functioning and aesthetic perception remains understudied. This study provides valuable insights [...] Read more.
Background: The radial forearm flap remains the gold standard in phalloplasty in gender-affirming surgery due to its versatility and functional outcome, but the significant donor site morbidity and its impact on daily functioning and aesthetic perception remains understudied. This study provides valuable insights into the mid-term functional and aesthetic outcomes of the forearm in transgender individuals following radial forearm flap phalloplasty using widespread instruments for assessment scoring systems and for the evaluation of postoperative wound healing of surgical interventions in general. Methods: Between January 2013 and March 2018, a total of 47 patients underwent radial phalloplasty at AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, and 20 consented to participate in this cross-sectional, retrospective study evaluating functional and aesthetic outcomes post-radial forearm flap phalloplasty using standardized questionnaires (DASH, POSAS, and SBSES). A univariate median regression of each score was performed to determine the associations with selected variables, and correlation analyses between scores was performed using a nonparametric Spearman rank correlation. Results: Among the 20 participants, the median Quick DASH, DASH functionality, DASH sport and music, and DASH work scores indicated minimal to no functional impairment. Scar evaluations using the PSAS, OSAS, and SBSES scales showed overall patient satisfaction with minimal concerns regarding pigmentation and scar texture. Notably, an increase of 0.27 cm2 in wound surface area added one point to the DASH sport and music score (p = 0.037). Statistical analysis also demonstrated a significant correlation between functional and aesthetic assessment scores. Conclusions: The radial forearm phalloplasty donor site, evaluated by the PSAS, OSAS, and SBSES scales, leads to minimal or no functional impairment; however, the worsening of the DASH sport and music score with increasing wound surface reflects a direct relation between wound size and functional impairment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Reconstructive Urology and Prosthetic Surgery)
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Review

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12 pages, 249 KiB  
Review
Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for Urethral Strictures: Is This the Future? A Review of the Current Literature
by Konstantinos Kapriniotis, Ioannis Loufopoulos, Aikaterini Apostolopoulou, Paul C. B. Anderson and Efstathios Papaefstathiou
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(8), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082854 - 21 Apr 2025
Abstract
Urethral strictures significantly impact patients’ quality of life, with endoscopic treatments such as direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) and dilatation showing high recurrence rates. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment, which delivers paclitaxel locally after dilation, is an innovative, minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing [...] Read more.
Urethral strictures significantly impact patients’ quality of life, with endoscopic treatments such as direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) and dilatation showing high recurrence rates. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment, which delivers paclitaxel locally after dilation, is an innovative, minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing fibrosis and stricture recurrence. Paclitaxel’s antiproliferative and antifibrotic properties inhibit excessive collagen deposition, improving long-term outcomes. DCB treatment is now included in guidelines for managing recurrent bulbar strictures less than 3 cm in length. Recent studies, including the ROBUST trials, have demonstrated the efficacy of Optilume in improving the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). DCB has also shown a significant reduction in reintervention rates compared with endoscopic treatments in long-term studies, confirming its safety profile. However, the durability of DCB in complex or longer strictures remains uncertain, and its role as a salvage therapy post-urethroplasty requires further investigation. DCB represents a promising, cost-effective advancement in managing recurrent bulbar urethral strictures, particularly for patients unsuitable for urethroplasty. Future research should focus on refining patient selection criteria and exploring indications for other anatomical sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Reconstructive Urology and Prosthetic Surgery)
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