title: Clean intermittent self-catheterization does not appear to be effective in the prevention of urethral stricture recurrence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) on stricture recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The incidence of stricture recurrence was assessed retrospectively in a group of 126 new patients treated endoscopically for urethral stricture in a general urological setting between 1994 and 2001, of whom 31 performed twice-weekly CISC and 95 did not. Stricture recurrence was defined as recurrent symptomatic stricture requiring further operative intervention following initial intervention. The mean follow-up available was 25 months (range 1-132 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 126 patients assessed, 60 (47.6%) developed recurrent stricture and required an average of 3.13 endoscopic retreatments each during the follow-up period. There was no significant difference (chi-squared p = 0.46) between the number of stricture recurrences in those performing CISC (13-41.9%) and those not performing CISC (47-49.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CISC does not appear to prevent medium-term stricture recurrence.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Urology, University College London Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: Tamsin J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Greenwell
authors.affiliation: b Department of Urology , Princess Alexandra Hospital , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Carissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.affiliation: b Department of Urology , Princess Alexandra Hospital , Brisbane , Australia.|c Department of Urology , Royal Marsden Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Nicol
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057928:Intermittent Urethral Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dilatation; effectiveness; self-catheterization; stricture; urethrotomy