Two-year follow-up of 120 W KTP vaporization of urethral strictures

Objective

A study was undertaken to assess a technique of 360° ablation of urethral stricture tissue with a 120 W KTP laser in comparison with the results of visual internal urethrotomy.

Materials and methods

Ninety-three men with urethral strictures were treated with 120 W KTP laser vaporization using the circumferential technique to eliminate the entire stricture. The strictures were located at the bladder neck in 14 men, the bulbar urethra in 65 patients and the penile urethra in the remaining 14 patients. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years with an average of 13 months. All patients had flexible urethroscopy 4 weeks after the laser vaporization and then a follow-up examination at 6 months and 1 year.

The treatment was considered a success when no further therapy was required. Satisfactory results were established if the patient needed only one post-treatment therapy with dilatation using sounds or a catheter. The treatment was designated a failure when patients needed multiple therapies or another operative procedure.

Results

The success rate for strictures at the bladder neck was 92% (13/14 men) with satisfactory in 8% (1/14 man) and there were no failures.

At the bulbar urethral stricture site, vaporization was successful in 80% (52/65 men), satisfactory in 9% (6/65 men), and failed in 11% (7/65 men). Penile urethral strictures had success with 71% (10/14 men) and 29% (4/14 men) were considered failures.

Conclusion

Ninety-three men with urethral strictures were treated with a 120 W KTP laser. The overall success rate was 81%. With improved technique and the advent of the 180 W KTP laser, further improved results are to be expected.