PURPOSE: To report a novel method for treating anterior urethral valves in children using the holmium:YAG laser. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old boy presented with symptoms of urinary-outflow obstruction. A micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) revealed an abrupt narrowing of the penile urethra. At cystourethroscopy, an anterior urethral valve without a diverticulum was visible. This was ablated endoscopically using the Ho:YAG laser. The child voided successfully and was discharged the next day. Repeat MCUG 6 months later revealed a normal-caliber urethra. CONCLUSION: Holmium:YAG laser ablation of anterior valves is a minimally invasive treatment modality that provided a satisfactory result and appears to be very promising.
PURPOSE: To report a novel method for treating anterior urethral valves in children using the holmium:YAG laser. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old boy presented with symptoms of urinary-outflow obstruction. A micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) revealed an abrupt narrowing of the penile urethra. At cystourethroscopy, an anterior urethral valve without a diverticulum was visible. This was ablated endoscopically using the Ho:YAG laser. The child voided successfully and was discharged the next day. Repeat MCUG 6 months later revealed a normal-caliber urethra. CONCLUSION: Holmium:YAG laser ablation of anterior valves is a minimally invasive treatment modality that provided a satisfactory result and appears to be very promising.