Prevention of urethral strictures in the management of posterior urethral valves.

Our 28 patients with posterior urethral valves managed with transurethral resection have sufficient followup to evaluate the development of urethral strictures. Of these 28 patients 14 were less than 1 year old when the valves were resected and strictures developed in 7 (50 per cent). Of the 14 patients who were more than 1 year old when the valves were resected none had a stricture. Within the latter group was a subgroup of patients who were treated with early vesicostomy and later valve resection. None of these patients suffered a stricture. Our data indicate that stricture formation is high when valve resection is attempted in the neonate or small infant and can be prevented by primary vesicostomy and delayed valve resection.