MANAGEMENT OF URETHRAL STRICTURES IN CHILDREN

We report the results of a long-term follow-up study in 78 children wi th urethral strictures. The ages ranged from 1 month to 20 years and t he follow-up from 8 months to 15 years (average 5.9 years). Balloon di lation was the primary treatment in 66 patients, Manipulative manageme nt (balloon dilation and endoscopic urethrotomy) was performed in 68 c ases and was successful in 55. There were no complications. Balloon di lation alone provided an 80% success rate (53/65). Twenty-two patients were treated by one-stage urethroplasty, with an overall 95.5% succes s rate. The surgical repair was performed in 12 patients as a secondar y procedure after failure of conservative treatment, Our data do not s upport the rather poor results usually reported in the pediatric Liter ature associated with the balloon dilation technique.