Urethroscopic recanalization of urethral stenosis using argon laser

A technique is presented for urethroscopic treatment of urethral stricture by Argon-Laser. A 23-watt Argon Laser is used as energy source. The radiation energy is applied into the urethra by means of a quartz fiber laser conductor. The flexible laser conductor can be inserted into the urethra through the opening of a standard urethroscope with water-inflow. It is necessary when withdrawing the urethroscope circularly to remove the entire stricture area down to the wall of the corpus cavernosum urethra, so that a totally smooth transition is created between the urethral sections proximal and distal to the stricture. The results of treatment were documented by infusion urethrography and uroflowmetric examination. The maximum flow rate (m) of 5.5 ml. before the treatment increased to 21.2 ml. after the operation. Among a total of 40 patients reconstriction occurred in 6 cases necessitating a renewal laser evaporization. These patients were treated in an early period of our urethroscopic laser recanalization. In these cases the stricture ring was not removed completely down to the wall of the corpus cavernosum urethra.