OPTICAL INTERNAL URETHROTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF URETHRAL STRICTURE DISEASE

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of internal urethrotomy in the treatment of urethral stricture disease as a first line of treatment. Patients and methods The study has been prospectively undertaken for forty five patients with urethral stricture disease who were treated with cold-knife internal urethrotomy followed by regular self calibration or hydrostatic urethral dilatation via starting micturations while applying pressure over distal urethra so leading to urethral distention. Results The age of the patients ranged between 22-80 years. The follow up period was from 6 months to 3 years. The success rate was 88%. The complication occurred in 6.6% of cases. Conclusion Internal urethrotomy could be regarded as the first treatment of choice in patients with a single, short urethral stricture or post urethroplasty stricture.