Application of endoscopic Ho:YAG laser incision technique treating urethral strictures and urethral atresias in pediatric patients.

Abstract

Endoscopic holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser incision is a new method applied in pediatric urology recent years. To evaluate its therapeutic efficacy on treating the pediatric patients with urethral strictures and urethral atresias, a retrospective study was performed from June 2001 to July 2005 in a total of 28 pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic internal urethrotomy using Ho:YAG laser in our center. In these patients, 25 had urethral strictures and 3 urethral atresias. Follow-up was done ranging from 2 months to 4 years to assess the treatment. Of the 28 patients, 25 (89.3%) have achieved satisfied result without complications following initial incisions. Two patients with urethral atresias and another with long lesion of stricture (> 2 cm) have postoperative stenosis (10.7%). Among the three reoccurred patients, two were successfully reoperated by Ho:YAG laser and open end-to-end anastomosis, respectively. One patient failed to follow-up. With the advantages of safety, efficacy and minimal invasion, endoscopic Ho:YAG laser incision technique could be used as a primary treatment in urethral stricture patients and is worthy to be popularized further in pediatric surgery.

• Authors: Sun Futao, Zhang Wentong, Zhuang Yan, Dong Qingyu, Li Aiwu
• Journal: Pediatric surgery international (Pediatr Surg Int) Vol. 22 Issue 6 Pg. 514-8 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0179-0358 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 16736220 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Endoscopy
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Postoperative Complications
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Urethra (abnormalities, surgery)
• Urethral Stricture (surgery)