Laser and traditional urethrotomy in treatment of strictures and urethral stenosis
The article presents the results of treatment of 422 men, 232 (55%) of which had anterior urethral strictures and 190 (45%) — posterior urethral stenosis. The most common site of anterior urethral stricture was a bulbar one: 142 (61,2%). In terms of etiological factor, iatrogenic stricture dominated in the anterior urethral: 134 (57,8%); post-operative stenosis — in the back: 168 (88,4%).According to the methods of endoscopic treatment the patients with anterior urethral lesions were divided as follows: 108 (46,6%) patients received internal optical urethrotomy (IOU), 124 (53,4%) — laser optical urethrotomy (LOU). According to the methods of endoscopic treatment, the patients with posterior urethral injuries were as follows: 52 (27,4%) patients received IOU, 44 (23,8%) — LOU and 94 (49,5%) — IOU and transurethral resection (TUR).In addition, the article evaluates the long-term results of endoscopic treatment. The use of laser endoscopic treatment of bulbar urethral strictures showed better results compared to the traditional IOU. It can be most effectively used in treating the short primary strictures. In treating strictures at medium range and recurrent strictures the results of endoscopic treatment are less satisfactory.In treating stenosis of the posterior urethra, IOU or LOU as monotherapy were significantly less effective than the internal optical urethrotomy with the TUR of scar tissue.