Neodymium: YAG laser treatment of benign urethral strictures

A total of 17 patients with benign urethral strictures underwent treatment with circumferential application of neodymium: YAG laser irradiation to the strictured area. Foley catheter drainage was used postoperatively in only 2 patients and no treatment complications were observed. Although early postoperative results were good 11 patients (64 per cent) suffered recurrent stricture within 6 months of treatment. With the method described, neodymium: YAG laser phototherapy of urethral strictures appears to offer no treatment advantages over conventional therapy and is associated with a high recurrence rate.