[Results of endoscopic urethrotomy in the treatment of urethral stricture. Apropos of 72 cases].

Seventy-two patients with strictures of the urethra were treated by endoscopic urethrotomy over a period of 2 years, the strictures being of iatrogenic origin in 37.5% and of undetermined etiology in 22% Important features of this series were the advanced age of the patients (57% between 60 and 80 years) and the iatrogenic nature of the lesion in many cases. Strictures were perineobulbar in 36 cases, of the anterior urethra in 13, multiple or extending in 6, and of the membranous urethra in 17 cases. Retromeatal and cervical strictures were not included. Urethrotomy (at 12 o'clock) was followed by insertion of a urethral catheter retained for 5 days. Complications included one case of severe infection and 2 cases of epididymo-orchitis. Follow-up has been for from 6 to 36 months. Good results were obtained in 41 cases (57%), with absence of dysuria and lack of the need for dilatation. Results were moderate in 9 cases (12.5%), with functional improvement but altered flow and the need for less than 2 dilatations per year. Treatment was a failure in 23 cases (32%), the condition remaining unaltered and requiring either multiple dilatations or a repeat urethrotomy. Overall therapeutic efficacy was 70%, the poorest results being observed in extensive or membranous urethra strictures.