980-nm diode laser treatment for recurrent urethral strictures.
OBJECTIVE
Our experience with laser treatment of urethral strictures with a 980-nm diode laser is reported.


METHODS
45 consecutive patients with relapsing urethral strictures (mean age 65, range 25-85 years) were treated between February 1995 and February 1998. The fibrous and scar tissue was cut and vaporized at the 6 o'clock position with the laser beam.


RESULTS
44/45 patients were available for follow-up at 1 year and 32/43 at 2 years. At 12 months the average peak flow rates of the patients was 18 ml/s, and at the second year assessment it was 15.5 ml/s. Of the patients 21/44 (47.7%) were extremely satisfied (0-1 of the quality-of-life, QoL, assessment index) with the procedure, 14/44 (31.8%) were satisfied (2 of the QoL assessment index), and 9/44 (20.4%) were not satisfied (> or = 3 of the QoL assessment index) due to the low flow rate or the recurrence of the stricture. (The sum of the first two categories is 79.5%.) At the second year assessment the percentage of satisfied patients reached 78%, with 71% of the patients stable without any dilatation.


CONCLUSIONS
Usually in recurrent strictures of the urethra open surgery is suggested, but we believe that there is still a place for endoscopy. With the laser we can make an incision at the 6 o'clock position without significant bleeding, very easily opening the urethra. We had 79.5 and 71% good results at the 1- and 2-year assessments (mean peak flow rate of 18 and 15.5 ml/min), respectively. To date, no definitive conclusions can be drawn, but we believe that laser treatment is indicated for recurrent strictures in high risk or elderly patients and in those who demand a minimally invasive procedure.
Department of Urology, ULSS 1, Belluno, Italy. guazzierstefano@libero.it
S
S
Guazzieri
R
R
Bertoldin
G
G
D'Incà
G
G
De Marchi
C
C
Mazzariol
T
T
Galetti-Prayer
W
W
Cecchetti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery*