title: Treatment of urethral/bladder neck stricture after high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer with holmium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF THE HOLMIUM: yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) laser for the treatment of urethral/bladder neck strictures after high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2007 and July 2010, Holmium: YAG laser urethrotomies were performed in eleven patients for bladder neck strictures or prostatic urethral strictures. The laser was used with a 550-µm fiber at 2 J and frequency 30 to 50 Hz. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed for medical history, perioperative and postoperative data, uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptoms Score/quality of life, and stricture recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a median follow-up of 12.0 months (range, 4 to 35 months), the mean postoperative maximal flow rate and residual volume were improved significantly (P<0.05). The mean postoperative total, voiding and quality of life of international prostate symptom score were improved significantly (P<0.05). Of the 11 patients, 7 patients required one treatment, 4 patients two treatment, and 1 patients three treatment. 2 patients who had a documented urinary incontinence prior to the laser treatment subsequently required artificial urinary sphincter implantation and reported satisfaction without developing any recurrent strictures or artificial urinary sphincter erosion. All patients exhibited well-healed strictures and could void without difficulty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HOLMIUM: YAG laser therapy represents a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment for urethral/bladder neck strictures occurring secondary to high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Chosun University Hospital, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Tae Heon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyo Serk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ha Na
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyu-Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Holmium; Prostate neoplasms; Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound; Urethral stricture; Urinary bladder neck obstruction