Comparative study between Amplatz renal dilator vs visual internal urethrotomy (cold knife) for the treatment of male urethral stricture

Abstract

Aim The study aimed to assess and compare urethral stricture (US) management outcomes, efficiency, and complications, treated by either Amplatz renal dilator or visual internal urethrotomy (VIU). Patients and methods This prospective comparative study was carried out on 88 male patients with stricture urethra. All patients have performed a physical examination, ascending and micturition urethrography, urodynamic, and pelvic ultrasound. The patients were randomized divided into group 1 (Amplatz group) 44 patients treated with Amplatz dilator, and group 2 (VIU group) 44 patients treated with a cold knife. Patients were followed up at 15 days,3,6, and 12 months after the procedure. Result The mean age was 41.2 (22–73) years. The mean stricture length in group 1 and group 2 was 1.01 ± 0.40 and 1.04 ± 0.30, respectively (p = 0.421). The average IPSS score at baseline for group 1 and group 2 was 21.2 and 21.9 points, respectively. During the 12 months follow-up, IPSS improved, with average scores of 16.1 and 17.3 for group 1 and group 2, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean values of (Q max) between group 1 and group 2 at baseline, day 15, day 90 and 180 days showed no significant difference but at 12 months, (Q max) showed a higher significant difference in group 1 than group 2 (p = 0.003). The post-void residual (PVR) displayed a significant decline in both groups from baseline. After 1 year, PVR showed that group 2 was a little higher than group 1 (no significance) compared to baseline The procedures were found effective without recurrence in all patients (both groups) during the 12 months (Q max > 15m/s). However, group 2 reported (11.4%) intra-operative bleeding, and (6.8%) extravasations. Conclusion The guided urethral dilation and internal urethrotomy are safe, short time procedures, and offer satisfactory results with the advance to VIUD in Qmax at 12 months. No recurrence was documented in both groups after 12 months. VIU reported 18% intraoperative complication.