Bougie urethral dilators: revival or survival?
OBJECTIVE
To present our center's experience in managing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) conditions using bougie dilators. We described the dilation technique methodically for teaching purpose.


METHODS
Retrospectively, a total of 196 medical records over the last four years denoting BOO conditions in men, women, and children were retrieved for analysis. Data reviewed for common complications was namely: perforation, recurrence, urinary tract obstruction (UTI) and inability to overcome the obstruction.


RESULTS
Among the 196 analyzed cases, 24 (12.2%) cases were cured, whereas 172 (87.8%) cases reported complications. Within the complicated cases analyzed, 134 (68.4%) cases had recurrent obstructions, 13 (6.6%) cases had perforations, 6 (3.0%) cases developed UTI, while in 19 (9.7%) cases, we failed to pass the obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
In our center where urethral dilation technique has revived four years ago, it turned back to be the standard choice in managing BOO cases. We propose the technique to Urology training program directors, all over the world, to teach it as a compulsory skill for junior urologists to master.
Department of Urology, King Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Atif Abdulhamid
AA
Katib
Department of Urology, King Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Ahmad
MA
Al-Adawi
BOO; bougie dilators; urethral dilation technique; urethral sounds; urethral stricture