Submucosal injection of verapamil prevents anterior urethral stricture recurrence following internal urethrotomy Role of calcium ion blocker confirmed by a 24-month follow-up / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is easy and feasible to treat anterior urethral stricture using internal urethrotomy, however, its drawback is high recurrence in the long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of submucosal injected verapamil on prevention of anterior urethral stricture recurrence after internal urethrotomy. METHODS: Totally 60 consecutive males with anterior urethral stricture underwent internal urethrotomy with or without urethral submucosal injection of verapamil, in the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, from December 2006 to April 2008, were selected. All cases were followed up at least 24 months.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All cases were followed up for 24-39 months, with an average of 28.5 months. Urethral stricture recurred in two cases in the verapamil-treated group but 8 cases in the untreated group. This difference in stricture recurrence between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that submucosal injection of verapamil at the stricture site significantly reduces the stricture recurrence rate after internal urethrotomy. Further studies involving larger number of cases and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of this therapy.