The Role of Internal Optical Urethrotomy in the Treatment of Male Urethral Stricture

Abstract

Background: Male urethral stricture is as yet considered one of the very popular and defying dilemmas to the urologist. Treatment modalities include dilation, endoscopic urethrotomy and urethroplasty, however internal optical urethrotomy displays rapid cure, lower scarring, and minimal hazard of infection. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of internal optical urethrotomy in the treatment of patients with urethral stricture. Patients & Methods: This study was carried out at Al-Yermouk Teaching Hospital/Baghdad/Iraq in the period between January 2015 and January 2018. A group of 75 male patients (16 - 25 years of age) presented with urethral strictures had been treated with internal optical urethrotomy. Follow-up period ranged from 1 - 3 months. Outcome was graded as good, fair and poor. Results: Out of 75 patients, 28 (37.3%) were (21 - 30) years of age. Trauma was the most popular source of stricture found in 40 (53.3%) and the most widespread presenting feature was poor urinary flow in 32 (42.6%) patients. Stricture in the bulbous urethra in 48 (64%) cases was found to be the most prevalent area followed by penile urethra in 16 (21.3%) cases. Overall response rate was good in 52 (69.3%) patients. Eleven (14.6%) patients exhibited only minor bleeding postoperatively with no other considerable complications. Conclusion: Internal optical urethrotomy is a dependable and effective procedure in treating urethral stricture.