Efficacy of Holmium Laser Urethrotomy Versus in Combination With Intralesional Paclitaxel Injection in the Treatment of Urethral Stricture

Urethral strictures are one of the most common reasons for urological admissions. They are associated with urinary tract infections, bladder stones, fistulas, sepsis and possibly renal insufficiency. Minimally invasive surgical approaches are utilized efficiently and safely in the treatment of urethral strictures. Visualized internal urethrotomy VIU, is one of the preferred methods due to the practical and minimally invasive nature of the procedure. One of the alternative approaches is the correction of the stricture using laser energy. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the results of YAG laser internal urethrotomy (HIU) in primary urethral strictures versus using laser with intralesional submucosal paclitaxel injection.

It is a prospective study in which patients will be recruited from the outpatient clinic of Demerdash (ain Shams university) hospital, randomized via closed envelope technique into doing VIU alone versus doing VIU with intralesional injection of paclitaxel

After obtaining well informed written consent, all patients will undergo the following

1. Detailed history taking, including medical history, surgical history, and patient complaint according to international prostate symptom score (IPSS) score. A note will be made about the possible etiology of the stricture.
2. Clinical Examination including abdominal, pelvic and genital examination.
3. Laboratory investigations including complete blood count, urine analysis, urine culture and sensitivity test, renal function tests.
4. Radiological investigations including retrograde urethrogram, micturating cystourethrogram and pelvi-abdominal ultrasound.
5. Uroflowmetry

Any active urinary tract infection (UTI) will be treated before surgery with appropriate antibiotics based upon sensitivity test.