Calibration of urethra with anti-scar gel as a new preventive method for stricture recurrence after urethroplasty performed due to refractory anterior urethral stricture disease

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to determine if scar contraction can be prevented by calibration of urethra with anti-scar gel (ASG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors operated on 36 men with recurrent urethral strictures (US). Strictures were localized in the penile (n = 26), penile and bulbar (8) or in the bulbar (2) part of the urethra. In 34 patients, dorsal inlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (BMGU) was performed and in the remaining 2 patients dorsal onlay BMGU was performed. First calibration was done one month after operation by hegar size 3.5 (diameter in millimeters) with ASG. Patients were instructed how to perform this action and repeated this action for 4–6 weeks. Then, every 4–6 weeks, the size of the calibrator was increased by 0.5 up to 6.0, if it was introduced with ease. Results were assessed by uroflowmetry and urethral calibration. Afterwards, calibrations were carried out twice a week for 6 months and then once a week for another 6 months followed by once a month. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 61 months. In uroflowmetry examination, voiding improved in all patients. Both preoperative mean Qmax and mean Qavg increased, the former from 6.2 to 22.5 ml/s, the latter from 4.3 to 12.4 ml/s, (p <0.001), at 12 months post-operation. Mean post-void residual volume (PVR) decreased from 89 ml before operation to 10 ml, (p <0.001), at 12 months post-operation. Mean inner urethral size increased from 3.9 mm one month post-operation to 5.4 mm, (p <0.001), 9 months post-operation. No recurrent US was detected in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Routine calibration with ASG prevents scar contraction after urethroplasty in the long-term. Calibration of urethra with ASG is a safe and effective method of postoperative management.