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.
Turek
P J
PJ
Department of Urology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.
Malloy
T R
TR
Cendron
M
M
Carpiniello
V L
VL
Wein
A J
AJ
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization