VAPORIZATION OF URETHRAL STRICTURES BY KT P-532

The authors treated 16 patients presenting with a total of 20 anterior urethral strictures using the KTP 16 Laser. The aetiology was iatroge nic in 50 % of cases, infectious in 20 % of cases, traumatic in 20 % o f cases and unknown in 10 % of cases. The stricture was situated in th e bulbous urethra (80 %), membranous urethra (10 %) or penil urethra ( 10 %). Laser vaporization of the urethral stricture was performed over the entire circumference of the urethra when necessary, followed by b ladder drainage by urethral catheter for 24 hours. All patients were p rospectively reviewed at 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months (clinical symp toms, uroflowmetry, cystourethrography). A complete symptom and urodyn amic success was obtained in 13 patients (81 %) at 3 and 6 months. The stricture recurred in 4 patients, but only three of them (19 %) requi red treatment (reoperation or repeated dilatations). The mean maximum flow rate increased from 6 mL/s to 20 mL/s at 3 months and was maintai ned at 19 mL/s at 6 months. No intraoperative or postoperative complic ations were observed. In conclusion, our results confirm that KTP 532 laser urethral strictures is a reliable and effective method in the me dium term. These good results also suggest an advantage in terms of th e recurrence rate in comparison with internal urethrotomy. However, ou r series needs to be evaluated with a longer follow-up and prospective , randomized trials comparing the two methods need to be conducted.