A simplified protocol for evaluating and monitoring urethral stricture patients minimizes cost without compromising patient outcome.
Uroflowmetry, urethrocystoscopy and urethrography are either not readily available or the cost is prohibitive for many patients in low-resource countries. This paper examines the use of clinical history in post-urethroplasty follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 54 post-urethroplasty patients. Preoperative diagnostic work-up included simple blood tests and a retrograde urethrography, and postoperatively we did not perform any immediate diagnostic work-up. Follow-up of these patients was done through mobile phone calls and personal contacts. Eighty-nine per cent of our patients reported acceptable voiding over a mean follow-up period of 48.4 months - 79.6% were followed using mobile phone contact. In the majority of the urethral strictures cases, diagnostic work up can be kept to a minimum, thereby reducing cost. Follow-up can be done via phone calls and personal contact in many African countries where compliance is frequently less than encouraging. The spread of mobile phone networks across the continent has been remarkable.
Okorie
Chukwudi O
CO
Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons at Banso Baptist Hospital, Kumbo, NWP, Cameroon. okorie@paacs.net; okorieco@mail.ru
Pisters
Louis L
LL
Ndasi
Henry T
HT
Fekadu
Arega
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040421:Cell Phone; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult