The short-term efficacy of dilatation therapy combined with steroid after internal urethrotomy in the management of urethral stenoses.

PURPOSE: To present the short-term results of hydrophilic dilatation catheter or steroid-coated hydrophilic dilatation catheter usage in the management of primary urethral stricture.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five male patients with a diagnosis of primary urethral stricture shorter than 1.5 cm and no comorbities were included in this study. After application of visual internal uretrotomy interna, these patients were randomized into three groups. A steroid-coated (triamcinolone acetonide 1%) 18F hydrophilic dilatation catheter was applied to the patients in group 1 for 2 weeks and an 18F hydrophilic dilatation catheter was applied to the patients in group 2 for 2 weeks. An 18F silicone urethral catheter was applied to the patients in group 3, and catheters were removed after 3 days. Uroflowmetry was used in postoperative follow-ups.

RESULTS: Mean patient age and follow-ups were 33.4 (19-45) years and 16.4 (6-18) months, respectively. The postoperative maximum urinary flow rate was 15.3 +/- standard deviation (SD) 4.6, 13.8 +/- SD 4.8, and 12.4 +/- SD 4.4 for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P 0.323). Failure was detected in three (20%) patients in group 1, seven (46.7%) patients in group 2, and nine (60%) patients in group 3 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: As an adjuvant treatment, this method is effortless, low in complications, and hopeful. Certainly, application to larger patient populations is needed to objectively accept its efficiency.