Internal urethrotomy versus plasmakinetic energy for surgical treatment of urethral stricture

Objective: Urethral strictures are problematic due to the difficulty of treatment and risk of recurrence. In this study, we aimed to compare the long-term outcome of surgical treatment of urethral stricture with the internal urethrotomy and plasmakinetic energy. Materials and methods: Patients who underwent recurrent urethral stricture surgery due to urethral stricture by using the plasma kinetic energy and urethrotomy were screened retrospectively in our outpatient clinic. A total of 32 patients with bulbar urethral stricture and without urethral stricture surgery history were included in this study, of whom 16 were in internal urethrotomy group and 16 were in plasma kinetic group. Patients who needed re-operation due to recurrence of urethral strictures were considered relapse. Results: The mean age of patients was 56.4 +/- 17.8 years. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 40.3 +/- 18.3 months. In terms of age, follow-up period and postoperative urine-flow results were similar in both groups. Relapse was observed in 6 patients (37.5%). No significant difference was recorded between groups in terms of postoperative relapse. Conclusion: Internal urethrotomy is one of the first methods in the treatment of urethral stricture, for easy applicability, less side effects, and necrosis. However, treatment of uretral stricture with plasmakinetic energy can be an alternative modality to internal uretrotomy.