Clean intermittent self-catheterization does not appear to be effective in the prevention of urethral stricture recurrence

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) on stricture recurrence. Materials and methods: The incidence of stricture recurrence was assessed retrospectively in a group of 126 new patients treated endoscopically for urethral stricture in a general urological setting between 1994 and 2001, of whom 31 performed twice-weekly CISC and 95 did not. Stricture recurrence was defined as recurrent symptomatic stricture requiring further operative intervention following initial intervention. The mean follow-up available was 25 months (range 1–132 months). Results: Of the 126 patients assessed, 60 (47.6%) developed recurrent stricture and required an average of 3.13 endoscopic retreatments each during the follow-up period. There was no significant difference (chi-squared p = 0.46) between the number of stricture recurrences in those performing CISC (13–41.9%) and those not performing CISC (47–49.5%). Conclusion: CISC does not appear to prevent medium-term stricture recurrence.

Keywords: :

• Dilatation
• effectiveness
• self-catheterization
• stricture
• urethrotomy

Declaration of interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.