Coaxial balloon dilation and calibration of urethral strictures

New coaxial balloon dilators with standard urologic tip configurations have been designed for use in urethral strictures. Balloon dilatation provides several advantages over conventional dilatation of strictures including improved access and decreased mucosal trauma due to a low silhouette, adjustability of diameter and rigidity, decreased instrumentation, and facilitation of intermittent self-dilation by the patient. The instruments were evaluated in 51 strictures (41 patients) as both a dilator and a calibrator. All catheters were located across the stricture easily (although two required filiform attachments). All clinical goals were achieved, and no complications were identified. Two patients were started on a program of intermittent self-dilation after internal urethrotomy with good results. It is our initial clinical impression that slow, gradual dilation of strictures is superior to rapid, abrupt dilation. This can only be practically achieved with balloon dilators.