Publication:

A comparative study of catheter size effect after direct vision internal urethrotomy for small urethral strictures

Background Urethral stricture disease is the most common cause of obstructive voiding symptoms in younger males and has always been a challenge for urologists. Optical urethrotomy (OU) has been considered as the standard therapy for anterior urethral and short segments strictures.

Methods In our study 164 consecutive treatment naive and recurrent urethral stricture patients who underwent direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) were retrospectively analyzed. 22Fr urethral catheters were placed for longer durations and small calibre catheters (14 or 16Fr) were preferred for shorter dwell times after DVIU. Catheter dwell times were grouped as 7 days had recurrence with p=0.0019.

Conclusions Urethral stricture disease is disease of high recurrence. Factors responsible for recurrence of disease after treatment like-etiology, length of stricture, duration /size of catheter, open or endoscopic procedure. putting a small diameter catheter and short duration of catheterization help in reducing recurrence.