title: Circumferential laser vaporization for severe meatal stenosis secondary to balanitis xerotica obliterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A new technique for treating meatal stenosis due to balanitis xerotica obliterans was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with complete urinary retention and 1 with severe obstructive symptoms due to balanitis xerotica obliterans were treated with circumferential carbon dioxide laser vaporization of the urethral meatus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 4 patients void spontaneously at 1 to 4.5 months of followup with peak flow rates of 1.25 to more than 3.0 standard deviations less than the mean normal peak flow rates at similar voided volumes. All patients are pleased with the postoperative results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circumferential carbon dioxide laser vaporization monotherapy shows promise in treatment of meatal stenosis associated with balanitis xerotica obliterans.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urologic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hrebinko
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001446:Balanitis / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*