Urethral stripping caused by stent removal and its successful treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a case report

Urethral stents usually provide initial, dramatic relief from obstructive voiding symptoms. However, complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections, stent migration, encrustation and recurrent urethral strictures are not rare, and stents should be removed when complications occur. Urethral stent removal is associated with potential risks of urethral injury, bleeding and external sphincter trauma. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) accelerates wound healing by increasing tissue microcirculation, decreasing capillary pressure and resolving tissue edema. Although HBO has been used in various urologic applications, there is no report of HBO therapy being used to treat isolated urethral injuries. Here we present a case of urethral stripping caused by endoscopic stent removal, and its conservative treatment with HBO therapy.