title: Low-power holmium:YAG laser urethrotomy for urethral stricture disease: comparison of outcomes with the cold-knife technique.
abstract: In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endourethrotomy with holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (HO:YAG) laser and compare the outcomes with the conventional cold-knife urethrotomy. Fifty-one male patients with single, iatrogenic, annular strictures of the urethra were randomly divided into two groups; 21 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with Ho:YAG laser (15 W; 1,200-1,400 mJ; 8-12 Hz) at 12 o'clock position (laser group) and 30 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with cold-knife incision at 12 o'clock position (cold-knife group). The results obtained were analyzed and compared at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postoperatively by clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry, and retrograde urethrographies. Variables were compared among groups using Fisher's exact and Mann Whitney U tests. There were no differences between two groups in terms of patient age, preoperative Qmax value, stricture location, and length. Operative time was shorter in laser group (16.4 ± 8.04 minutes) when compared with cold-knife group (23.8 ± 5.47 minutes) (p<0.001). Recurrence-free rate at 3 months was similar between two groups (p=0.122). However, recurrence-free rates at 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months were significantly higher in laser group when compared with cold-knife group (p values were 0.045, 0.027, and 0.04, respectively). No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered. Use of Ho:YAG laser in the management of urethral stricture disease is a safe and effective method. In addition, it provides shorter operative time and lower recurrence rate when compared with the conventional technique.
authors: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Atak
authors: Hüsnü
authors: H
authors: Tokgöz
authors: Bülent
authors: B
authors: Akduman
authors: Bülent
authors: B
authors: Erol
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Dönmez
authors: Volkan
authors: V
authors: Hancı
authors: Ozlem
authors: O
authors: Türksoy
authors: Necmettin Aydın
authors: NA
authors: Mungan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult