Urethral stricture after cardiac surgery.

During January and February 1980 there was an epidemic of urethral strictures at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. These strictures all occurred in men undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The strictures were inflammatory in nature and the patients were assessed to determine if a common aetiological factor could be identified. Follow-up has reaffirmed that inflammatory strictures are difficult to treat. Only half of the patients responded to conservative treatment; the only factor which appeared to influence the outcome of treatment was the time taken for a patient to present because of his symptoms.