Background and Objectives: The male urethra is a complex structure that plays a critical role in genitourinary health and function. Despite its importance, histological descriptions of the penile urethra, particularly its epithelial components, remain incomplete. This study offers a comprehensive histological analysis of the penile urethra, focusing on the epithelium across distinct anatomical regions, including the glans, distal and proximal fossa navicularis and spongy urethra. Materials and Methods: Utilizing five human penile specimens, we employed various staining techniques to elucidate the structural characteristics of these epithelial tissues. Results: Our findings reveal notable variations in epithelial composition, such as the presence of glycogen-rich cells in the distal fossa navicularis and the presence of mucous glands in the spongy urethra and proximal fossa navicularis. Additionally, we identified a previously underreported valvule-like structure in the distal fossa navicularis in two of the specimens. In addition, the epithelium of the glans and the distal fossa navicularis are thicker than the ones of the proximal fossa navicularis and the spongy urethra. With a similar vascular density, the orientation of the blood vessels also diverges starting with the distal fossa navicularis. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the histological organization of the penile urethra, offering critical reference data that can enhance our understanding of urethral pathologies and improve the outcomes of surgical interventions, particularly in the context of tissue engineering and reconstructive surgery.

Plastic and Aesthetic Research is an open acccess journal, which publishes articles on technical and clinical studies related to plastic and aesthetic surgery.

Background: The GENDER-Q is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) designed to assess outcomes and experiences of gender-affirming care from the patient’s perspective. The aim of this study was to translate the GENDER-Q into a linguistically validated Canadian French version. Methodology: We followed methods according to the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research guidelines (formerly ISPOR) for PROM translation and cultural adaptation. This involved two forward translations, reconciliation, one back translation, review of the back translation, and cognitive debriefing interviews with individuals who identify as transgender and gender diverse (TGD). Results: The field test version of the GENDER-Q consisted of 55 scales with 959 items. This version was translated into Canadian French by two independent translators. The scales were back translated from Canadian French to English, then compared to the original English version to identify conceptual discrepancies. Based on the back translation, instructions for 13 scales, response options for 10 scales and 96 items required discussion and re-translation. Ten individuals who identified as TGD and were fluent in Canadian French reviewed the translated GENDER-Q via an online survey and subsequently participated in a cognitive debriefing interview to discuss scale components that, based on survey responses, were identified as difficult to understand. Participant feedback led to further re-wording of instructions, response options and items. The translation was reviewed to ensure consistency in the wording of recurring terms across the different scales. Conclusions: The GENDER-Q was translated and linguistically validated in Canadian French and can be used to inform gender-affirming care, clinical research, and quality improvement efforts.

Measuring outcomes of treatments that seek to align a person's voice with their gender identity is important for improving gender-affirming care (GAC). The objective of this study was to assess the construct validity of the GENDER-Q Voice Sound and Voice Distress scales. An international field test study of the GENDER-Q was undertaken, which finalized the development of the scales. Participants were 18 years of age or older, and were seeking or had received GAC in the past 5 years, and completed the Voice Sound and Voice Distress scales. Predefined hypotheses of expected group differences and associations with other GENDER-Q scales were tested using independent samples t test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Acceptance of at least 75% of hypotheses was considered sufficient evidence of construct validity, as per COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement InstrumeNts criteria. A total of 5424 participants were included in the analysis with a mean age of 32.8 years (standard deviation = 12.3; range 18-83 years). The sample was comprised of 33.6% men, 36.8% women, 23.8% non-binary, and 5.7% another gender. Voice therapy was undertaken by 21.4% of participants, and 30.5% wanted this therapy. Fewer participants had undergone voice-related surgery (1.7%), with 10% wanting this surgery. Results supported 16 of 18 (89%) hypotheses for the Voice Sound scale, and 18 of 19 (95%) hypotheses for the Voice Distress scale. The GENDER-Q Voice Sound and Voice Distress scales demonstrated construct validity. These scales can be used to assess voice-related outcomes for adults aged 18 years and older who are seeking or receiving gender-affirming voice interventions.

Objectives: The male urethra is a complex structure that plays a critical role in genitourinary health and function. Despite its importance, histological descriptions of the penile urethra, par-ticularly its epithelial components, remain incomplete. This study offers a comprehensive his-tological analysis of the penile urethra, focusing on the epithelium across distinct anatomical regions, including the glans, distal and proximal fossa navicularis, and spongy urethra. Meth-ods: Utilizing four human penile specimens, we employed various staining techniques to eluci-date the structural characteristics of these epithelial tissues. Results: Our findings reveal notable variations in epithelial composition, such as the presence of glycogen-rich cells in the distal fos-sa navicularis and the presence of mucous glands in the spongy urethra and proximal fossa na-vicularis. Additionally, we identified a previously underreported valvule-like structure in the distal fossa navicularis in two of the specimens. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the histological organization of the penile urethra, offering critical reference data that can enhance our understanding of urethral pathologies and improve the outcomes of surgical inter-ventions, particularly in the context of tissue engineering and reconstructive surgery.