Transurethral laser urethrotomy with argon laser: experience with 900 urethrotomies in 450 patients from 1978 to 1993

From April 1978 to September 1993, the Department of Urology of Giessen Medical School used laser urethrotomy as standard endoscopic treatment in benign urethral strictures. In this period, 900 urethrotomies were performed in 450 patients. The majority of strictures treated were iatrogenic (65%), located in the posterior urethra (62.8%) and classified as short (< or = 1 cm) (71%). Argon laser urethrotomy was carried out in the 12 degrees position according to the technique of internal optical urethrotomy. An indwelling transurethral catheter was left for 48 h after urethrotomy. Uroflowmetry after argon laser urethrotomy revealed the efficacy of the method. A retrospective analysis of the operations was performed. Analysis showed that recurrence appeared on average after 15.2 months (range 1-39) in up to 70.1%. Nearly 50% of recurrence was evident within 1 year following surgery. Recurrence was independent of location, length and etiology of the stricture. We conclude according to our data that argon laser urethrotomy is technically feasible. Due to the high recurrence rate the method offers no advantage over conventional internal optical urethrotomy.