title: CO2 laser desiccation of urethral hair post-penoscrotal hypospadias repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Proximal urethral defects account for approximately 20% of hypospadiac urethras. Previous surgical interventions involved hair-bearing genital skin which consequently resulted in a hairy urethra, which is seen mainly in older patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the CO2 laser for urethra hair elimination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four men aged 18-20 years with hairy urethras, who failed electrolysis treatment, were treated with CO2 laser desiccation at low fluences (2-5 watts). The treatments were performed at 1-month intervals. Treatment was continued until no hair was seen. Visual assessment of the hair reduction was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients received two to four treatment sessions (average 3.2). On clinical assessment 3 months after the last treatment, outcome was rated excellent (no hair) in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CO2 laser desiccation should be considered as a therapeutic modality for a hairy urethra, especially after the failure of electrolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery,Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Pinchas M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Livne
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ad-El
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapidoth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000601:surgery*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D012611:Scrotum / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide