UroLume stents: lessons learned

PURPOSE: The UroLume (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) endoprosthesis has been commercially available since 1990 and has been advocated for use in men with urethral stricture disease and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia due to spinal cord injury. Despite reports of its success and ease of removal, we have noted management problems in several complex cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 10 men who required several additional procedures or experienced complications following UroLume placement. RESULTS: Of the patients 4 had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and 6 had urethral stricture disease. All patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia required hospitalization for management of urosepsis within 4 to 10 months of stent placement, and all 4 experienced stent migration requiring placement of a tandem stent (3), bladder neck resection (3) or sphincterotomy (1). Two men were in retention following placement of a second stent and required stent explantation. Of the other 6 men 2 had bulbar and 3 had membranous urethral disease, and 1 had a severe bladder neck contracture following radical retropubic prostatectomy. Strictures recurred within the stent lumen in all 6 men and/or adjacent to it in 3. At least 1 repeat procedure was required in all 6 men (within 6 months in 5), and 1 experienced significant bleeding during open explantation which required perineal urethrostomy. CONCLUSIONS: In our referral experience stent migration and recurrent stenosis were noted following UroLume insertion. Placement of a tandem stent was associated with urethral obstruction. In many cases these adverse outcomes may be secondary to improper patient selection. Therefore, judicious use of the UroLume stent and proper case selection are essential since stent removal is not always straightforward.     

The surgical management of obstructive stents used for urethral strictures

PURPOSE: We present our referral experience with patients who had extensive urethral obstruction following UroLume insertion and were treated with urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 13 men with urethral stricture who experienced recurrent obstruction following placement of a UroLume endoprosthesis. In all patients several attempts at urethral dilation and optical urethrotomy failed to overcome the obstruction. Complete excision of the obstructed urethra containing the stent with the surrounding periurethral fibrosis was done in all patients. In 12 patients a 1-stage bipedicled penile island tubularized flap was used to bridge the urethral defect. In 1 patient 1-stage urethroplasty was performed and he is awaiting stage 2. Followup assessment included urine flow, post-void residual urine measurement, retrograde urethrogram and urethroscopy at different intervals. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients who underwent complete treatment 1 had a short segment stricture at the site of the distal anastomosis 3 months after catheter removal, which was successfully managed by internal urethrotomy. He was doing well at the 12-month followup. In 11 patients a successful outcome was noted immediately after catheter removal and it was maintained at a mean followup of 1.8 years (range 1 to 4). CONCLUSIONS: Complete excision of the obstructed urethra containing the UroLume stent with the surrounding periurethral fibrosis is an important first step in reconstruction. Subsequent use of a 1-stage bipedicled penile island tubularized flap resulted in excellent long-term results. In a small subset of cases delayed stage 2 repair after skin inlay is a valuable option.     

Open reconstruction of pediatric and adolescent urethral strictures: long-term followup

PURPOSE: Pediatric urethral stricture disease represents a significant surgical challenge. Published operative series of pediatric urethral reconstruction include small numbers or lack long-term followup. We examined the long-term outcome of open reconstructive techniques for pediatric urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1987 through August 2002, 17 boys 7 to 17 years old underwent open urethral reconstruction with followup. Trauma was the etiology in 88% of cases. Nine patients had anterior urethral stricture and 8 had traumatic posterior urethral disruption. Strictures secondary to failed hypospadias correction were not included in analysis. In 10 patients (59%) previous management with open or endoscopic procedures had failed. Followup in all patients consisted of symptomatic evaluation, voiding cystourethrography and flexible urethroscopy. RESULTS: One-stage perineal urethral reconstruction was performed in all patients without retropubic or transpubic dissection. All patients were stricture-free and continent at a mean followup of 67 months. A total of 18 open surgical procedures were needed. A patient with posterior urethral disruption required reoperation for recurrent stricture disease but had excellent long-term results after the second operation. Chordee, penile shortening and urethral diverticula were not noted during followup. CONCLUSIONS: Open urethral reconstruction of adolescent and pediatric strictures provides excellent long-term results with minimal morbidity. When considering the importance of repair durability in the pediatric urethral stricture population, urethral reconstruction should be strongly considered the primary treatment option. Endoscopic procedures should be reserved for patients with short bulbar strictures associated with minimal spongiofibrosis. As in the literature, we do not advocate repeat direct vision internal urethrotomy.     

Extraction of UroLume endoprosthesis with one-stage urethral reconstruction using buccal mucosa

Long-term analyses of the UroLume Endoprosthesis have shown conflicting results with regard to efficacy and restricture rates. The best management of recurrent urethra stricture disease at the site of a previous UroLume stent is unknown. We describe a previously unreported technique for transperineal excision of the UroLume for recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease with one-stage reconstruction using buccal mucosa. At 9 months of follow-up, the patient was voiding well with no evidence of stricture recurrence.     

Pan-urethral strictures can develop as a complication of UroLume placement for bulbar stricture disease in patients with hypospadias

We report the development of pan-urethral strictures in 2 patients with hypospadias who underwent UroLume urethral stent placement for bulbar urethral stricture disease before referral to our institution. To our knowledge, this devastating complication has never previously been reported. The likely etiology was ischemic urethral stenosis secondary to occlusion of bulbar arteries, the dominant urethral blood supply in hypospadias patients who lack a secondary retrograde blood supply through the glans penis. We conclude that hypospadias should be an absolute contraindication to urethral stent placement.     

Combined stent and artificial urinary sphincter for management of severe recurrent bladder neck contracture and stress incontinence after prostatectomy: a long-term evaluation

PURPOSE: Concurrent incontinence and severe recurrent bladder neck contracture following radical prostatectomy are difficult to manage. Recurrent anastomotic strictures following repeat transurethral incisions and resections, and the need for frequent instrumentation are contraindications for artificial urinary sphincter placement. Usually treatment alternatives for these patients consist of some form of urinary diversion or chronic catheter drainage. We evaluated our results using a UroLume stent across the bladder neck contracture followed by placement of an artificial urinary sphincter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After failed multiple (mean incisions 4.4) attempts at conservative management of anastomotic stricture 9 men were treated with a UroLume urethral stent across the contracture followed by artificial urinary sphincter placement after appropriate epithelialization of the stent was confirmed. RESULTS: All patients were followed for a mean of 17.5 months. Mean pad use per day decreased from 6.5 to 0.7 before and after artificial urinary sphincter placement, respectively. Two patients reported mild persistent perineal discomfort and 1 had a recurrent contracture after stent placement, which was successfully managed with placement of a second overlapping stent. Overall, 89% of the patients were satisfied with the results. CONCLUSIONS: UroLume stent placement followed by artificial urinary sphincter can be a successful method for treating recurrent severe bladder neck contracture and incontinence. There is minimal morbidity with the procedures, and the combination offers a much more attractive treatment alternative compared to urinary diversion or chronic catheter drainage.     

Experience with urethral stent explantation

PURPOSE: We examined the timing, causes and results of the explantation of UroLume (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) urethral stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The North American Study Group enrolled 465 patients in a trial of UroLume stent placement, including 69 (14.8% of the series) who required removal of a total of 73 stents (15.6% of stents) in 7 years. The time of explantation, reason for stent removal and local histological findings were determined from patient charts and reviewed in relation to the indication for stent placement. RESULTS: In patients treated for bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia 23% of the stents were removed, as were 5% of those implanted in patients with bulbar urethral stricture and 22% of those in patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (see figure). Of the explantations 43.8% were done during year 1. Migration and/or inappropriate placement was the cause in 38.4% of cases. The most common stent site tissue finding was focal inflammation with a hyperplastic tissue response. Stent specific malignant changes were not observed. Stent removal was feasible with no sequelae. CONCLUSIONS When used appropriately, the UroLume endoprosthesis has a low incidence of failure. Stent removal is technically feasible and options are available for subsequent therapy. Local tissue reaction is minimal.     

A bioabsorbable self-expandable,self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid urethral stent for recurrent urethral strictures: long-term results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Biodegradable urethral stents have been used clinically for some years mainly in order to prevent postoperative urinary retention after minimally invasive thermotreatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We previously reported a 15-month-follow-up pilot study of a bioabsorbable self-expandable, self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent in combination with optical urethrotomy in the treatment of recurrent urethral strictures. The present aim was to evaluate the long-term results of this new treatment modality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 22 patients with severe urethral strictures (mean number of earlier urethrotomies 2.5) were involved. An SR-PLLA spiral stent with a bioabsorption time of 10 to 12 months was inserted into the urethra at the stricture site immediately after optical urethrotomy. Uroflowmetry, measurement of postvoiding residual urine, urine culture, and urethroscopy were performed preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months and then every 3 months up to 12 months, with subsequent follow-up visits every 6 months. The mean follow-up was 46 months. RESULTS: The treatment was successful in 8 of the 22 patients (36%). Six recurrences were found within the stented area and 15 outside. Patients with failure have since been treated with several urethrotomies and repeat self-dilatations or free skin urethroplasties. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the use of a bioabsorbable SR-PLLA urethral stent for the treatment of recurrent strictures were encouraging. Without this additional therapy, the recurrence rate of strictures might have been much higher. The main problem was sudden collapse of the stent, possibly induced by outer compression. A new generation of bioabsorbable stents is already under development.     

Urolume stent placement for the treatment of postbrachytherapy bladder outlet obstruction

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral resection (TURP) or incision of the prostate is generally not effective for treating bladder outlet obstruction after transperineal brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Furthermore, TURP could compromise full-dose effective radiation delivery to the prostate. We analyzed the efficacy of the UroLume stent in treating the urinary outflow obstruction in such patients. METHODS: Five patients who had undergone brachytherapy (3 with (192)Ir high-dose radiation and 2 with (125)I) subsequently developed one or more episodes of urinary retention 2 weeks to 4 years after treatment. The patients failed or could not tolerate alpha-blockers or clean intermittent catheterization. Three patients subsequently underwent urethral dilation/optical internal urethrotomy for strictures, and 1 patient underwent suprapubic tube placement. Following the failure of these interventions, each of these patients had a UroLume stent placement. A single UroLume stent (2 cm in 3 patients and 2.5 cm in 2 patients) was placed under local/spinal anesthesia. RESULTS: All patients were able to void spontaneously immediately after stent placement. Of the patients with previous urethral strictures, 1 remained continent and 1 had persistent incontinence. Neither of the patients with early postbrachytherapy retention developed incontinence after stent placement. The main complaints following stent placement were referred pain to the head of the penis and dysuria. Stent-related symptoms necessitated stent removal in 2 of 5 patients, 4 to 6 weeks after placement. CONCLUSIONS: The UroLume stent can be used as an alternative form of therapy for managing postbrachytherapy bladder outlet obstruction. The treatment is easily reversible by removing the stent when obstruction resolves.     

Long-term results of a self-expanding wallstent in the treatment of urethral stricture

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term outcome over 12 years of using the urethral Urolume wallstent (AMS, Minnetonka, MI, USA) for treating recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case-notes of 60 consecutive men with urethral Urolume wallstents placed for treating recurrent bulbar strictures were reviewed retrospectively. Information was collected on patient demographics, stricture aetiology, stent-related complications and the need for further surgery to treat stent- or stricture-related complications. RESULTS: The mean (range) age of the men was 58 (32-76) years. The most common cause of stricture was iatrogenic, arising after previous endoscopic surgery or after an indwelling catheter (45%). Thirty-five men had complications, with re-operation required in 27 (45%) of them. The most frequent nonsurgical complications were post-micturition dribble (32%) and recurrent urinary tract infections (27%). The most common surgical interventions required were transurethral resection of obstructing stent hyperplasia (32%), urethral dilatation or urethrotomy for stent obstruction or stricture (25%) and endoscopic litholapaxy for stent encrustation or stone (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The Urolume wallstent should only be used in patients who are unfit for or who refuse a bulbar urethroplasty.     

Staged pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra: an effective treatment for long-segment bulbar and membranous urethral stricture

OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel surgical technique for male long-segment urethral stricture after pelvic trauma using the intact and pedicled pendulous urethra to replace the bulbar and membranous urethra, followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra. METHODS: Two patients with long-segment post-traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures with short left pendulous urethras who had undergone several failed previous surgeries were treated with staged pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty followed by reconstruction of the anterior urethra. This procedure was divided into three stages. First-stage surgery was mobilization of the anterior urethra down to the coronary sulcus and then rerouted to the prostatic urethra followed by pendulous-prostatic anastomotic urethroplasty with transposition of the penis to the perineum. Second-stage surgery was transecting the anterior urethra at the revascularised coronary sulcus 6 mo later, followed by straightening of the penis and urethroperineostomy. Third-stage surgery was reconstruction of the anterior urethra 6 mo later. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the two patients reported satisfactory voiding. For patient 1, retrograde urethrography showed that the urethra was patent, and that the mean maximal flow rate (MFR) was 18.4 ml/s with no postvoiding residual urine after the third-stage surgery and at 3-yr follow-up. For patient 2, a 22F urethral catheter could pass smoothly through the urethra, and the MFR was 19.5 ml/s with no postvoiding residual urine at 2-yr follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure was an effective surgical option for men with complex long-segment post-traumatic bulbar and membranous urethral strictures, especially for those who had undergone failed previous surgical treatments.     

Temporarily implanted urethral coil stent for the treatment of recurrent urethral strictures: a preliminary report

A new urethral stent developed for use in recurrent urethral strictures is presented. This metallic coil is self-expanding when released from its introducing catheter. The stent was used in 18 patients with recurrent strictures necessitating frequent dilation or urethrotomy. The stent is introduced under fluoroscopic guidance after internal urethrotomy or simple dilation. Strictures of 5 to 60 mm. were treated successfully with this device. All strictures were distal to the external sphincter. No serious complications attributed to the device were recorded. When necessary, the stent could be repositioned either under fluoroscopic control or endoscopically. This device can hold the stenotic area of the urethra open for long intervals allowing for complete healing. Even after 6 months the stent is not covered with urethral epithelium and does not become incorporated into the urethral wall. It can be removed easily without an operation by simple manipulation. The large internal caliber permits passage of endoscopes up to 17F in patients who require cystoscopy. The device can be removed before transurethral resections and then a new stent can be inserted at the end of the procedure. Mean followup of our patients with the stent indwelling was 8 months (range 4 to 11 months). Followup after removal of the stent (6 patients) was 3 to 8 months (mean 5 months). The patients voided well during followup and were fully continent. No incrustations were noted in the removed stents even after 6 months and no stent became obstructed due to tissue proliferation or incrustation. In 1 patient the stricture recurred after 3 months and a new stent was inserted. Urine sterilization was obtained in 7 patients with infected urine after relatively short courses of antibiotics. This stent seems to be a promising tool for the nonoperative treatment of recurrent urethral strictures.     

Results of buccal mucosa grafts for repairing long bulbar urethral strictures

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVES

To report the medium‐term results at our institution of repairing long bulbar urethral strictures with buccal mucosal grafts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2003 and June 2007, a buccal mucosa graft repair was used in 34 patients with recurrent bulbar strictures >2 cm. The follow‐up included uroflowmetry with an ultrasonographic estimate of residual volume at 3 months, 1 year and yearly thereafter, or at the onset of obstructive voiding symptoms. A retrograde urethrogram with a voiding cysto‐urethrogram was taken at 6 months. Flexible urethroscopy was used whenever a recurrent stricture was suspected. A successful outcome was defined as normal voiding with no stricture on the voiding cysto‐urethrogram and no need for subsequent instrumentation.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of the patients was 55.5 (23–74) years. The mean (sd ) preoperative maximum flow rate was 6.6 (2.5) mL/s with a mean (sd ) residual volume of 51.7 (89.7) mL. Seven patients (21%) had had one or more previous urethral dilatations, 15 (44%) had undergone one or more internal urethrotomies and 10 (30%) received both treatments. Eight patients (24%) had previous open urethral surgery; two had no previous treatment. A dorsal onlay technique was used in 30 patients, a ventral onlay in one, a combined technique (dorsal onlay and ventral fasciocutaneous flap) in two and a two‐stage buccal mucosa urethroplasty in one. The mean (sd ) operative duration was 147 (36) min, and the stricture length and buccal mucosa graft length were, respectively, 3.2 (1.2) cm and 4.4 (0.6) cm. Follow‐up was available in 33 patients (97%) with a mean of 23 (15.4) months. The success rate was then 94%. Both failures occurred within the first year and were managed successfully by internal urethrotomy. The mean (sd ) postoperative maximum flow rate was 20 (11) mL/s with a mean (sd ) residual volume of 46 (68) mL. There were no medium‐term donor‐site complications. Postmicturition dribbling was noted in eight patients (24%). None of the patients had de novo impotence or urinary incontinence, and to date no patient has needed a repeat open reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that in patients with bulbar urethral strictures of >2 cm, urethroplasty using buccal mucosa is feasible, with very encouraging medium‐term results. We confirm that this type of reconstruction could be considered the standard of care for bulbar strictures of >2 cm.     

Buccal mucosal urethroplasty: a versatile technique for all urethral segments

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with buccal mucosa urethroplasty for substitution of all segments of the anterior urethra, as the buccal mucosal graft (BMG) has emerged as the tissue of choice for single-stage reconstruction of bulbar urethral strictures, but its use for reconstructing meatal, pendulous and pan-urethral strictures has not been widely reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and October 2003, 92 patients had a BMG substitution urethroplasty at our institution; 75 had a single-stage dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty (bulbar 41, pendulous 16 and pan-urethral 18; six combined penile skin flap and BMG) and 17 (pendulous five, pan-urethral 10, bulbar two) a two-stage urethroplasty. Recurrence rates, complications and cosmetic outcomes were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Over a median (range) follow-up of 34 (8-72) months, 66 (88%) patients with a one-stage reconstruction (14/16 pendulous; 37/41, 90%, bulbar; 15/16 pan-urethral) remained stricture-free. The mean (range) time to recurrence was 9.4 (3-17) months. Of the nine recurrent strictures, six were managed by one-stage optical urethrotomy and three required a repeat urethroplasty. In patients who had a staged procedure, after a mean follow-up of 24.2 (9-56) months, one had complete graft loss, requiring re-grafting, five required stomal revision after stage 1, and only two (12%) developed a recurrent stricture after the two-stage urethroplasty. CONCLUSION: A one-stage dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty provides excellent results for strictures involving any segment of the anterior urethra. The BMG appears to be the most versatile urethral substitute, as it can be successfully used for both one- and two-stage reconstruction of the entire anterior urethra.     

前尿道代后尿道成形术治疗男性复杂性后尿道狭窄

目的探讨长段复杂性后尿道狭窄治疗新方法。方法采用分期前尿道代后尿道成形术治疗3例复杂性后尿道长段狭窄（6．5—10．0cm）患者。第一期行阴茎转位尿道端端吻合术，术后3—6个月行二期阴茎伸直、尿道会阴造口术，6个月后行第三期前尿道成形术（Johanson Ⅱ期尿道成形术）。结果例1术后排尿通畅，膀胱尿道造影检查示尿道通畅，双侧输尿管返流近消失，最大尿流率18．8ml／s，随访2年，最大尿流率18ml／s，无剩余尿。例2术后排尿通畅，最大尿流率19．5ml／s，无剩余尿，尿道扩张可顺利通过22F尿道探子。例3经会阴一耻骨联合径路行第一期阴茎转位尿道端端吻合术、尿道直肠瘘、尿道会阴瘘切除、修补术，术后尿道直肠瘘及尿道会阴瘘治愈，但因耻骨联合切口感染致吻合口狭窄，有待进一步治疗。结论分期前尿道代后尿道加前尿道重建方法是治疗男性长段复杂性尿道狭窄的有效方法。     

Treatment of posterior urethral strictures with a titanium urethral stent

A total of 5 patients with recurrent posterior urethral strictures underwent endoscopic placement of an expandable endourethral stent made of titanium. Patient age ranged from 17 to 66 years (mean age 42.6 years). Followup ranged from 13 to 20 months (mean 14.1 months). Of the patients 4 presently have unobstructed voiding with no incontinence. To date no side effects have been directly related to the stents and no incrustations or calculi have formed. Our preliminary study supports the use of titanium urethral stents as an alternative form of treatment for selected urethral strictures.     

Self-expanding stent insertion for urethral strictures: a 10-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Urolume endourethral self-expandable metallic stent (American Medical Systems, MI, USA) in treating urethral strictures, based on a follow-up of> 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1989 and June 1990, the Urolume stent was inserted into 15 patients (aged 25-77 years) who had recurrent urethral strictures. The mean duration of stricture before stent insertion was 10.9 years. The patients (all men) were followed using a questionnaire and uroflowmetry, and if necessary, retrograde cysto-urethrography and/or urethroscopy and/or X-ray urodynamics. RESULTS: Two failures were caused by excessive tissue proliferation in the stent, which ended in stent removal or a suprapubic catheter. Another two stents were removed because of discomfort or pain. Two patients developed stenosis in the stent after 7 and 9 years. In the final evaluation only two of the 15 patients were satisfied with their stent. The mean maximum urinary flow rate at the last follow-up was 15 mL/s, and half the patients noted 'stent' incontinence. Lower urinary tract infections, urge and stress incontinence, and discomfort with ejaculation, were all symptoms perceived at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of the Urolume stent in this study weaken the optimistic early results. Only two of the 15 patients were satisfied with their stent.     

Implantation of the urethral stent for treatment of complex urethral strictures. Evaluation of the functional and radiological results

We describe the results after implantation of a urethral stent in 6 patients with recurrent urethral strictures. Four patients had strictures located in close vicinity to the external sphincter. In 3 of these 4 patients open urethroplasty procedures had failed. The treatment was successful in 5 of the 6 patients with a follow-up of 6-10 months. However, in 1 patient who had a complex stricture close to the sphincter, dense fibrotic strictures recurred at the proximal end of the stent where a short segment of the stricture was left uncovered in order to preserve continence. We conclude that implantation of the stent is a valuable treatment for complex strictures in the vicinity of the sphincter on condition that the stent covers the whole stricture.     

结肠黏膜尿道成形治疗复杂性超长段尿道狭窄的长期疗效

目的 观察结肠黏膜尿道成形术治疗复杂性超长段尿道狭窄的长期效果和影响因素. 方法 2000年10月至2009年9月采用结肠黏膜尿道成形治疗复杂性超长段尿道狭窄46例.年龄17 ～70岁,平均39岁.尿道狭窄段长10.0～20.0 cm,平均15.2 cm.术前有平均2.7次不成功的尿道修复史.通过定期门诊或电话随访进行术后疗效评估,包括排尿情况和尿流率检查,部分患者行尿道造影和尿道镜检查等.以不需要任何处理包括尿道扩张,能正常排尿,尿流率在正常范围内者视为手术成功. 结果 结肠黏膜重建尿道的长度为11.0～21.0 cm,平均15.4 cm.1例失访,余45例随访20～120个月,平均62个月.发生与手术相关的并发症4例(8.9％),其中3例于术后3、8和24个月发生尿道外口狭窄,1例术后29个月发生结肠黏膜新尿道与尿道近端吻合口狭窄.另2例发生与结肠黏膜尿道成形术无关的尿道狭窄. 结论 结肠黏膜尿道成形术治疗复杂性超长段尿道狭窄术后长期效果理想;影响术后效果的因素是尿道口狭窄和吻合口狭窄.     

KTP-532 laser ablation of urethral strictures.

In 1988 the KTP-532 laser was used to ablate a series of benign urethral strictures. Rather than using a single incision as in urethrotomy, strictures were treated with 360-degree contact photoradiation. Thirty-one male patients, average age 53.2 years, received thirty-seven treatments; 6 patients underwent a second laser treatment. Stricture etiology was commonly iatrogenic (32%), traumatic (16%), and postgonococcal (10%). Stricture location included mainly bulbar (49%), membranous (20%), and penile (12%) areas. The surgical technique consisted of circumferential ablation, followed by Foley catheter placement (mean, 10 days). Follow-up on 29 of 31 patients ranged from one to sixteen months (mean 9.7). Complete success occurred in 17 patients (59%) who had no further symptoms or instrumentation. Partial success was seen in 6 patients (20.5%) with symptom, but not stricture, recurrence. Six patients (20.5%) failed therapy, requiring additional surgery or regular dilations. No complications were seen. Although longer assessment is required, KTP-532 laser ablation of urethral strictures appears efficacious.