Intermittent Self Catheterization Versus Regular Outpatient Dilatation in Urethral Stricture: A Comparison

BACKGROUND: The results of regular intermittent self catheterization were compared with regular outpatient dilatation after endoscopic internal urethrotomy for urethral strictures. METHODS: The records of patients who were treated for urethral stricture disease over a 4-year period from 1991 to 1994 were reviewed. They were either on regular urethral dilatation or were advised to carry out self calibration. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to them and they were asked to attend a review. Student's t-test and Proportion Test were used to find out if there was any significant difference between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 78 patients who were on self calibration and 49 patients on regular urethral dilatation. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the duration of follow-up (21.5 and 23.7 months, respectively); the length of stricture (1.5 and 1.7 cm, respectively); and complications (two and four, respectively). However, patients on self calibration had narrower strictures (4.8 and 5.7 F) and a significantly lower restricture rate (5 and 16%). The current urinary stream was compared to the immediate postoperative stream. This showed that a higher number of patients in the dilatation group were voiding at less than 25% of their immediate postoperative flow. People from high and low socio-economic groups were able to carry out self calibration satisfactorily. CONCLUSION: Patients from high and low socio-economic groups found that self calibration resulted in a lower restricture rate and better stream when compared to regular urethral dilatation.