Surgical methods of urethral stricture and postoperative recurrence

Objective To explore the best surgical method for urethral stricture in order to reduce postoperative recurrence. Methods Clinical data of 21 patients with urethral stricture treated by transurethral scar excision was retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into group A( ≤ 1.0 cm) and group B( 1.0 cm) based on their urethral stricture length and compared in blood loss, operative duration, postoperative maximum urine flow and postoperative recurrence. Results The scars of 21 patients were completely removed and urinary tracts were dilated to 26F.There was no significant difference in blood loss, operative duration and postoperative maximum urine flow in two groups(P 0.05). The other 20 patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months other than 1 case in group B.Urethral stricture reoccurred in 8 patients with 1 case in group A(11.1%) and 7 cases in group B(63.3%)(P0.05). Conclusion The postoperative recurrence rate is lower with ureteroscopic surgery when the length of urethral stricture is no more than 1.0 cm; the urethroplasty should be performed when the length of urethral stricture is beyond 1.0 cm.