Use and outcomes of amplatz renal dilator for treatment of urethral strictures

INTRODUCTION: Urethral stricture disease is still a major problem in men. Many procedures are available for the treatment of urethral strictures; urethral dilatation is one of the oldest. The blind dilatation of urethral strictures may be a difficult and potentially dangerous procedure. The purpose of this study was to describe safe urethral dilatation using amplatz renal dilator and to report outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2014, a total of 26 men with primary urethral strictures were managed by urethral dilatation using amplatz renal dilators. The parameters analyzed included presentation of patients, retrograde urethrography (RGU) findings, pre-and postoperative maximum flow rate (Q(max)) on uroflowmetry (UF) and post-void residual urine (PVR). Patients were followed-up at 1.6 and 12 months. The technique described in this paper enables such strictures to be safely dilated after endoscopic placement of a suitable guidewire and stylet over which amplatz renal dilators are introduced. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.6 (35–72) years. The median stricture length was 0.82 (0.6–1.5)cm. Pre-operative uroflowmetry showed Q(max) of 7.00 (4–12) mL/sec and ultrasonography showed PVR of 75.00 (45–195)mL. Postoperatively, Q(max) improved to 18.00 (15–22)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 1 month, 17.00 (13–21)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 6 months and 15.00 (12–17)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 12 months. The post-operative PVR values were 22.50 (10–60)mL (p<0.001), 30.00 (10–70)mL (p<0.001) and 30.00 (10–70) mL (p<0.001) at 1.6 12 months, respectively. The median procedure time was 15.00 (12–22) minutes. None of the patients had a recurrence during a 12-month period of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Urethral dilatation with amplatz renal dilators avoids the risks associated with blind dilatation techniques. This tecnique is a safe, easy, well-tolerated and cost-effective alternative for treatment of urethral strictures.