Optical urethrotomy in strictures following fracture pelvis

Management of posterior urethral injuries with pelvic fracture remains a major controversy and has always been a challenge to urologists. Objective of this study was to see the outcome of optical internal urethrotomy in treatment of urethral strictures following fracture pelvis.

This prospective study was conducted at the Urology Department, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January 2007 to July 2008. A total of 45 male patients (20-60 years of age) and having urethral strictures following fracture pelvis were treated with internal optical urethrotomy. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 1 year.

Fracture pelvis resulting from the road traffic accident, was the cause of urethral stricture. The good and fair results of internal optical urethrotomy were 68.56% patients who were treated with single internal optical urethrotomy. Internal optical urethrotomy was repeated in 22.86% of patients. Clean intermittent self urethral dilatation was applied as adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence of stricture for variable period ranging from 1 to 3 months.

Internal optical urethrotomy is safe and effective procedure for short yet inaccessible strictures from the perineum.