Urethral stricture after cardiovascular surgery, a retrospective and a prospective study

In a review of our cases presenting with urethral stricture we noted a high incidence following cardiovascular surgery. A retrospective study was done, including 87 patients treated for urethral stricture and 304 undergoing open heart surgery during the same period, to search for a possible etiologic factor. A prospective study also was done on 98 patients subjected to cardiovascular surgery. Strictures developed in 17.5 per cent of 63 patients who had a urethral catheter placed for urinary diversion at operation compared to none of 35 who had a suprapubic cystocatheter. We believe that the urethral catheter is at least partly responsible for stricture formation. Associated factors, for example urethral ischemia, may be contributory.