OPTICAL INTERNAL URETHROTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF URETHRAL STRICTURES

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To study the
outcome of optical internal urethrotomy in the treatment of urethral strictures. Study Design: Prospective.
Setting: Allied Hospital, Faisalabad . Period: April 1996 to Dec. 1998. Patients and Methods: A total of 70
consecutive male patients ranging from 5-80 years treated with optical internal urethrotomy for stricture urethra
were included in the study. Follow up ranged from 12 to 30 months. Results: Trauma was the most common
cause of urethral stricture. Fracture pelvis alone was responsible for 43% of the strictures while straddle injury
accounted for another 23%. The incidence of iatrogenic and infective stricture was found to be 26% and 8%
respectively. The results of optical internal urethrotomy were excellent in 61% patients who were treated with
single internal urethrotomy. Internal urethrotomy was to be repeated in 21% patients and urethroplasty was
performed in 9% patients. Clean Intermittent Self Catheterization and active urethral dilatation was applied as
adjuvant treatment to prevent the recurrence of stricture. Conclusions: Internal Urethrotomy is safe and
reliable procedure for simple urethral strictures while urethroplasty should be considered for complex strictures.
Active urethral dilatation at repeated intervals still has a role in preventing recurrence of stricture after initial
treatment with internal urethrotomy or urethroplasty.