STUDY THE OUTCOME OF VISUAL INTERNAL URETHROTOMY IN MANAGEMENT OF URETHRAL STRICTURE

Abstract

Urethral stricture disease is the most common cause of obstructed voiding symptoms in younger males and has always been a challenge for urologists. Currently available treatment modalities for urethral strictures are urethral dilation, direct vision internal
urethrotomy (DVIU), urethral stent placement and open urethroplasty. Direct vision internal urethrotomy is the procedure that opens the stricture by incising the scar tissue via transurethral route. If the incision heals by epithelisation rather than wound contraction, the procedure is successful. Higher early stage postoperative success rates and the simplicity of this endoscopic approach resulted in rapid acceptance of the procedure. Success rates following DVIU have been shown to vary between 30% and 90%, depending on the length and location of the stricture. Patients are usually left with an indwelling urethral catheter for 3-5 days after DVIU; However there is no consensus on the duration of the catheterization.