Holmium laser ablation of anterior urethral valves: case report.
OBJECTIVE
To report a novel method for treating anterior urethral valves in children using the holmium:YAG laser.


METHODS
A 2-year-old boy presented with symptoms of urinary-outflow obstruction. A micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) revealed an abrupt narrowing of the penile urethra. At cystourethroscopy, an anterior urethral valve without a diverticulum was visible. This was ablated endoscopically using the Ho:YAG laser. The child voided successfully and was discharged the next day. Repeat MCUG 6 months later revealed a normal-caliber urethra.


CONCLUSIONS
Holmium:YAG laser ablation of anterior valves is a minimally invasive treatment modality that provided a satisfactory result and appears to be very promising.
Al-Busaidy
S S
SS
Department of Urology, Armed Forces Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. salimalbusaidy@hotmail.com
Prem
A R
AR
Medhat
M
M
Al-Bulushi
Y H K
YH
Gaber
M
M
Pai
S V
SV
D002675:Child, Preschool; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*
D006695:Holmium