Lee C. Zhao, MD

Bibliography · ORCID 0000-0002-4029-0669

Lee C. Zhao, MD Publications

An academic hub for Lee C. Zhao, MD, MS: reconstructive urology, robotic and single-port surgery, ureteral reconstruction, buccal mucosa graft techniques, urethroplasty, gender-affirming surgery, and outcomes research.

327 publications 81 journals 26 book chapters 2026 latest year

Author and clinical context

Lee C. Zhao, MD, MS

Reconstructive urologist and robotic surgeon. Professor of Urology and Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health. This site connects peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, guidelines, and indexed records into crawlable topic and publication pages.

NYU profile ORCID PubMed author search

Research architecture

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65 publications

Ureteral Reconstruction

Robotic and open approaches to ureteral strictures, buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty, ileal ureter replacement, ureteral reimplantation, pyeloplasty failure, and complex upper urinary tract reconstruction.

139 publications

Urethral Stricture & Urethroplasty

Urethral stricture disease, anterior and posterior urethroplasty, pelvic fracture urethral injury, treatment success definitions, staging systems, and reconstructive outcomes.

94 publications

Gender-Affirming Surgery

Gender-affirming genital surgery research, including robotic peritoneal flap vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, complications, revisions, patient-reported outcomes, and registry work.

122 publications

Robotic & Single-Port

Robotic and single-port surgical technique papers spanning upper urinary tract reconstruction, gender-affirming surgery, minimally invasive reconstructive approaches, and adoption of new platforms.

21 publications

Bladder Neck & Vesicourethral

Bladder neck contracture, vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis, Y-V plasty, outlet reconstruction, continence, and salvage approaches after prostate or pelvic surgery.

53 publications

Prosthetics (AUS/IPP)

Artificial urinary sphincter, penile prosthesis, reservoir placement, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and prosthetic complications in reconstructive urology.

2026

Comparative Outcomes and Management of Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenosis After Contemporary Standard and Pelvic-Fascia-Sparing Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Techniques

Nabavizadeh B, Blum KA, Zhong J, Winograd J, Li A, Dowd JM, Lin CF, Nguyen AT, Zhao LC, Kowalczyk KJ, Hu JC

JU open plus · 2026

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortBladder Neck & VesicourethralProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 42369976 doi:10.1097/JU9.0000000000000461

Correction: Ureteral stricture: current treatment algorithm and key surgical principles in the robotic upper urinary tract reconstruction era

Bourillon A, Peyronnet B, McGuire BB, Pinar U, Lee Z, Nair R, Stifelman M, Eun D, Zhao LC, Bhatt N, CORRUS-T Collaborative Research on Reconstruction of Ureteral Stricture-Transatlantic

World journal of urology · 2026

Editorial / Commentary Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-Port
PubMed · PMID 41963710 doi:10.1007/s00345-026-06328-x

Ureteral stricture: current treatment algorithm and key surgical principles in the robotic upper urinary tract reconstruction era

Bourillon A, Peyronnet B, McGuire BB, Pinar U, Lee Z, Nair R, Stifelman M, Eun D, Zhao LC, Bhatt N, CORRUS-T Collaborative Research on Reconstruction of Ureteral Stricture-Transatlantic

World journal of urology · 2026

Review Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 41546831 doi:10.1007/s00345-025-06181-4

2025

Outcomes Following Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty Gender Affirming Surgery With Urethral Lengthening: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study

Blasdel G, Chen ML, Berli J, Dy G, Dugi D, Djordjevic M, Bizic M, Zhao L, Schechter L, Santucci R, Myers JB, Goodwin I, Nikolavsky D, Meltzer T, Watt A, Pariser J, Figler B, Kuzon W, Hadj-Moussa M, McCormick B, Brown LK, Nigriny JF, Moses RA

Urology · 2025

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyGender-Affirming SurgeryOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 40780517 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2025.07.071

Development and Assessment of a Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument for Gender-Affirming Care

Kaur MN, Rae C, Morrison SD, Laungani A, Brassard P, Mullender MG, van de Grift TC, Young-Afat DA, Sørensen JA, Poulsen L, Cornacchi SD, Graesser JG, Igbokwe MM, Satterwhite T, Pang JH, Akhavan AA, Hu A, Johnson N, Cano SJ, Savard K, Mundinger GS, Capitán-Cañadas F, Simon D, Capitán L, Coon D, Brydges HT, Bluebond-Langner R, Rodriguez ED, Zhao LC, Armstrong KA, Dean NR, Crittenden TA, Cannell ZA, Lane M, Haley CA, Hsu J, Dy GW, Peters BR, Berli JU, Milano CE, Lava CX, Fan KL, Del Corral GA, Kaoutzanis C, Kalia N, Higuchi T, Ganor O, Subedi S, Douglass LM, Hamidian Jahromi A, Hosseini HC, Ihnat J, Parikh N, Hu K, Alperovich M, Ray EC, Aref Y, Hassan BA, Liang F, Mundy L, Chen ML, Pusic AL, Klassen AF

JAMA network open · 2025

Original Article Gender-Affirming SurgeryOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 40249619 doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.4708

The current landscape of single-port robotic surgery in urology

Biasatti A, Soputro NA, Porpiglia F, Perdonà S, Abdollah F, Nelson R, Rogers C, Zhao LC, Ghazi A, Challacombe B, Eden C, Mattei A, Fankhauser CD, Breda A, Rocco B, Montorsi F, Briganti A, Pellegrino AA, Mottrie A, De Groote R, Haese A, Graefen M, Moschovas MC, Patel V, Simone G, Galfano A, Secco S, Bertolo R, Pandolfo SD, Pansadoro V, Carvalho FLF, Joseph JV, Ramadan M, Shakuri-Rad J, Yuh B, Nix J, Lee DI, Rais-Bahrami S, Hemal S, Eltemamy M, Beksac AT, Schwen Z, Su LM, Buscarini M, Palese M, Tewari A, Wiklund P, Cherullo EE, Vourganti S, Linehan JA, Wu Z, Stifelman M, Ahmed M, Mehrazin R, Badani K, Link RE, Crivellaro S, Kaouk J, Autorino R

Nature reviews. Urology · 2025

Review Ureteral ReconstructionRobotic & Single-PortUro-OncologyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 40897917 doi:10.1038/s41585-025-01081-z

Early Real-World Experience With Optilume Drug-coated Balloon for Anterior Urethral Strictures and Posterior Urethral Stenoses

Patel HV, Erickson BA, Abbasi B, Alsikafi NF, Broghammer JA, Pandit K, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Daryabari SS, Myers JB, Smith TG, Lindekugel G, Voelzke BB, Vanni AJ, Zhao LC, Breyer BN

Urology · 2025

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Trauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 41109561 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2025.10.025

2024

Development and Validation of the Length, Segment, and Etiology Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease Staging System Using Longitudinal Urethroplasty Outcomes Data From the Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons

Erickson BA, Tuong MN, Zorn AN, Schlaepfer CH, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Broghammer JA, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Smith TG, Vanni AJ, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC

The Journal of urology · 2024

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Trauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 39652884 doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000004369

The Impact of Social Deprivation on Anterior Urethral Stricture Recurrence After Urethroplasty: A Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons Analysis

Patel HV, Li KD, Rourke KF, Smith TG, Voelzke BB, Myers JB, Broghammer JA, Alsikafi NF, Buckley JC, Zhao LC, Elliott SP, Vanni AJ, Peterson AC, Erickson BA, Breyer BN

The Journal of urology · 2024

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyTrauma & FistulaStones & BPHOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 39088547 doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000004188

2023

Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty: A Comparison of Algorithms, Surgical Techniques and Management Practices across 17 High-volume Centers in North America and Europe

Coon D, Morrison SD, Morris MP, Keller P, Bluebond-Langner R, Bowers M, Brassard P, Buncamper ME, Dugi D 3rd, Ferrando C, Gast KM, McGinn C, Meltzer T, Monstrey S, Özer M, Poh M, Satterwhite T, Ting J, Zhao L, Kuzon WM, Schechter L

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open · 2023

Original Article Gender-Affirming Surgery
PubMed · PMID 37255762 doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000005033

Outcomes of Urethroplasty for Synchronous Anterior Urethral Stricture Utilizing the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons Length, Segment and Etiology Anterior Urethral Stricture Classification System

Jamil ML, Hamsa A, Grove S, Cho EY, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Broghammer JA, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Erickson BA, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC, Vanni AJ

Urology · 2023

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Trauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 37673405 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2023.08.017

2022

2021

Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction in Patients with Radiation-Induced Ureteral Strictures: Experience from the Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS)

Asghar AM, Lee Z, Lee RA, Slawin J, Cheng N, Koster H, Strauss DM, Lee M, Reddy R, Drain A, Lama-Tamang T, Jun MS, Metro M, Ahmed M, Stifelman MD, Zhao L, Eun D

Journal of Endourology · 2021

Original Article Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortProsthetics (AUS/IPP)
PubMed · PMID 32814443

Multi-institutional Outcomes and Associations After Excision and Primary Anastomosis for Radiotherapy-associated Bulbomembranous Urethral Stenoses Following Prostate Cancer Treatment

Voelzke BB, Leddy LS, Myers JB, Breyer BN, Alsikafi NF, Broghammer JA, Elliott SP, Vanni AJ, Erickson BA, Buckley JC, Zhao LC, Wright T, Rourke KF, Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS)

Urology · 2021

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 33556448 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2020.11.077

Ureteral Rest is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction of Proximal and Middle Ureteral Strictures

Lee Z, Lee M, Lee R, Koster H, Cheng N, Siev M, Jun M, Munver R, Ahmed M, Zhao LC, Stifelman MD, Eun DD, Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS)

Urology · 2021

Original Article Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 33639184 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2021.01.058

Urethroscopic Findings following Urethroplasty Predict the Need for Secondary Intervention in the Long Term: A Multi-Institutional Study from Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons

Amend GM, Nabavizadeh B, Hakam N, Voelzke BB, Smith TG, Erickson BA, Elliott SP, Alsikafi NF, Vanni AJ, Buckley JC, Zhao LC, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Broghammer JA, Breyer BN

The Journal of urology · 2021

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 34854754 doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000002353

Durable Treatment of Refractory Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenosis via Robotic-assisted Reconstruction: A Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons Study

Shakir NA, Alsikafi NF, Buesser JF, Amend G, Breyer BN, Buckley JC, Erickson BA, Broghammer JA, Parker WP, Zhao LC

European urology · 2021

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortBladder Neck & VesicourethralProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 34521553 doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2021.08.013

2020

Intermediate-term outcomes after robotic ureteral reconstruction for long-segment (≥4 centimeters) strictures in the proximal ureter: A multi-institutional experience

Lee M, Lee Z, Koster H, Jun M, Asghar AM, Lee R, Strauss D, Patel N, Kim D, Komaravolu S, Drain A, Metro MJ, Zhao L, Stifelman M, Eun DD, Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS)

Investigative and clinical urology · 2020

Original Article Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 33258325 doi:10.4111/icu.20200298

Multi-institutional Experience Comparing Outcomes of Adult Patients Undergoing Secondary Versus Primary Robotic Pyeloplasty

Lee M, Lee Z, Strauss D, Jun MS, Koster H, Asghar AM, Lee R, Chao B, Cheng N, Ahmed M, Lovallo G, Munver R, Zhao LC, Stifelman MD, Eun DD, Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS)

Urology · 2020

Original Article Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 32687842 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2020.07.008

Response to Letter to Editor: "Development and Validation of a Male Anterior Urethral Stricture Classification System"

Erickson BA, Flynn KJ, Hahn AE, Cotter K, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Broghammer JA, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Smith TG, Vanni AJ, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC, Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons (TURNS)

Urology · 2020

Editorial / Commentary Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 33137347 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2020.10.028

Outcomes and Risk Factors of Revision and Replacement Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation in Radiated and Nonradiated Cases

Fuller TW, Ballon-Landa E, Gallo K, Smith TG, Ajay D, Westney OL, Elliott SP, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Cohen AJ, Vanni AJ, Broghammer JA, Erickson BA, Myers JB, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC, Buckley JC

The Journal of urology · 2020

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 31951498 doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000749

Development and Validation of A Male Anterior Urethral Stricture Classification System

Erickson BA, Flynn KJ, Hahn AE, Cotter K, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Broghammer JA, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Smith TG, Vanni AJ, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC, Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons (TURNS)

Urology · 2020

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 32580016 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2020.03.072

2019

Multicenter analysis of posterior urethroplasty complexity and outcomes following pelvic fracture urethral injury

Johnsen NV, Moses RA, Elliott SP, Vanni AJ, Baradaran N, Greear G, Smith TG, Granieri MA, Alsikafi NF, Erickson BA, Myers JB, Breyer BN, Buckley JC, Zhao LC, Voelzke BB, Trauma Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons(TURNS)

World journal of urology · 2019

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 31144093 doi:10.1007/s00345-019-02824-5

Clinical significance of cystoscopic urethral stricture recurrence after anterior urethroplasty: a multi-institution analysis from Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS)

Baradaran N, Fergus KB, Moses RA, Patel DP, Gaither TW, Voelzke BB, Smith TG, Erickson BA, Elliott SP, Alsikafi NF, Vanni AJ, Buckley J, Zhao LC, Myers JB, Breyer BN

World journal of urology · 2019

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 30712091 doi:10.1007/s00345-019-02653-6

2018

Patency and Incontinence Rates after Robotic Bladder Neck Reconstruction for Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenosis and Recalcitrant Bladder Neck Contractures: the TURNS Experience

Kirshenbaum EJ, Zhao LC, Myers JB, Elliott SP, Vanni AJ, Baradaran N, Erickson BA, Buckley JC, Voelzke BB, Granieri MA, Summers SJ, Breyer BN, Dash A, Weinberg A, Alsikafi NF

Urology · 2018

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortBladder Neck & VesicourethralProsthetics (AUS/IPP)
PubMed · Search

Patency and Incontinence Rates After Robotic Bladder Neck Reconstruction for Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenosis and Recalcitrant Bladder Neck Contractures: The Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons Experience

Kirshenbaum EJ, Zhao LC, Myers JB, Elliott SP, Vanni AJ, Baradaran N, Erickson BA, Buckley JC, Voelzke BB, Granieri MA, Summers SJ, Breyer BN, Dash A, Weinberg A, Alsikafi NF

Urology · 2018

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortBladder Neck & VesicourethralProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 29777787 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.05.007

Reply to Federico Gheza, Simone Crivellaro, and Gian Luca Baiocchi's Letter to the Editor re: Lee C. Zhao, Aaron C. Weinberg, Ziho Lee, et al. Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction Using Buccal Mucosa Grafts: A Multi-institutional Experience. Eur Urol 2018;73:419-26. Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction with Buccal Mucosal Graft: A Call Not To Lose Momentum

Weinberg A, Zhao L

European urology · 2018

Editorial / Commentary Ureteral ReconstructionRobotic & Single-Port
PubMed · PMID 29458982 doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2018.01.040

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic repair of ureteral injury: an evidence-based review of techniques and outcomes

Tracey AT, Eun DD, Stifelman MD, Hemal AK, Stein RJ, Mottrie A, Cadeddu JA, Stolzenburg JU, Berger AK, Buffi N, Zhao LC, Lee Z, Hampton L, Porpiglia F, Autorino R

Minerva urologica e nefrologica = The Italian journal of urology and nephrology · 2018

Review Ureteral ReconstructionRobotic & Single-PortTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 29595044 doi:10.23736/S0393-2249.18.03137-5

2017

Outcomes of Urethroplasty to Treat Urethral Strictures Arising From Artificial Urinary Sphincter Erosions and Rates of Subsequent Device Replacement

Keihani S, Chandrapal JC, Peterson AC, Broghammer JA, Chertack N, Elliott SP, Rourke KF, Alsikafi NF, Buckley JC, Breyer BN, Smith TG, Voelzke BB, Zhao LC, Brant WO, Myers JB, Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons (TURNS, TURNSresearch.org)

Urology · 2017

Original Article Urethral Stricture & UrethroplastyProsthetics (AUS/IPP)Uro-OncologyTrauma & FistulaOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 28624554 doi:10.1016/j.urology.2017.05.049

2016

Re: Nicolò Maria Buffi, Giovanni Lughezzani, Rodolfo Hurle, et al. Robot-assisted Surgery for Benign Ureteral Strictures: Experience and Outcomes from Four Tertiary Care Institutions. Eur Urol. In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2016.07.022

Bjurlin MA, Zhao LC, Stifelman MD

European urology · 2016

Editorial / Commentary Ureteral ReconstructionUrethral Stricture & UrethroplastyRobotic & Single-PortUro-OncologyOutcomes, Methods & Education
PubMed · PMID 27639535 doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2016.09.013

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Undated