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[Treatment of urethral stenoses in children using a balloon catheter]
S D'Agostino1, P Campobasso, L Musi
1Divisione di Chirurgia Pediatrica, Sezione di Urologia, Ospedale Regionale, Vicenza, Italia.
Insights
This study introduces inflatable balloon catheter dilation for managing urethral strictures in children. This less invasive technique offers advantages over traditional methods, showing promising results for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Urethral strictures in children present management challenges.
- Conventional treatments like dilatation, internal urethrotomy, and urethroplasty have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inflatable balloon catheter dilation for pediatric urethral strictures.
- To compare this novel approach with existing management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 32 children with urethral strictures treated with inflatable balloon catheter dilation.
- Procedure involved atraumatic catheterization under radioscopic vision, balloon catheter insertion, and contrast medium inflation.
- Dilatation effectiveness assessed by voiding urethrography.
Main Results:
- The inflatable balloon catheter method demonstrated fewer complications and greater advantages compared to conventional urethral dilatation.
- No adverse events were reported during the procedure.
- Successful outcomes were achieved with repeat dilations, with 25 patients undergoing a third procedure for optimal results.
Conclusions:
- Inflatable balloon catheter dilation is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for managing urethral strictures in children.
- This technique offers a less uncomfortable and more advantageous alternative to traditional methods, leading to good and permanent results.
Abstract:
The management of the urethral strictures in children has involved dilatation, internal urethrotomy and urethroplasty. Each method of management has varying degrees of success and is associated with special problems. The authors describe their experience in the management of urethral strictures in 32 children by inflatable balloon catheter. The procedure involves atraumatic catheterization by an urethral catheter under radioscopic vision, followed by introduction of a balloon catheter on a flexible guide which is then filled by contrast medium. The stenosis is visible on the balloon and the rapidity with which it "yields" can readily be appreciated. Control of dilatation is effected by voiding urethrography. This method entails much less discomfort and more advantages than conventional urethral dilatation. No complication was observed. All patients underwent a second balloon dilatation, without radioscopy and 25 also a third prior to obtain a good and permanent result.