Management of recalcitrant urethral strictures with self-dilatation balloon catheter.

INTRODUCTION

Urethral strictures constitute a significant clinical problem that often requires long-term management.

OBJECTIVE

To report the long-term outcomes of adjuvant home self-urethral dilatation of recurrent urethral strictures using a balloon catheter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male patients (N = 11), performing self-dilatation with a balloon catheter (minimum 24 months) were assessed by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) health questionnaire specific for post treatment assessment of men with urethral stricture disease.

RESULTS

Median duration of balloon catheter use is 46.5 months, IQR (24-150). Patients performed self-balloon dilatation on average 1.4 times a week, median 1, IQR (1-2) to maintain the patency of their urethra. The mean PROMs LUTS score of the patients was 2.45, median 2, IQR (1-4). The median and mean Peeling score was 2 IQR (1-2). 100 % patient reported that they either very satisfied or satisfied with the overall outcome and QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial experience of outpatient self-dilatation with a balloon dilatation is encouraging and is an acceptable inexpensive and simple treatment for patient maintains urethral patency and potentially decreases stricture recurrence.