title: Treatment of benign urethral strictures using a sapphire tipped neodymium:YAG laser.
abstract: Sapphire tips increase the energy density and cutting effect of a neodymium:YAG laser. Sapphire tipped neodymium:YAG laser fibers were used to perform urethrotomy in 24 men with benign urethral strictures. The cutting effect was inadequate in 10 patients. Of the 24 patients 16 (67%) had a recurrent stricture within 1 year. Sapphire tipped neodymium:YAG laser fibers offer no apparent advantage over cold knife urethrotomy for treatment of benign urethral strictures.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D004106:Dilatation; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy