URETHRAL STRICTURES IN BOYS

Experience with urethral strictures in boys during a 15-year period confirms the findings of others that the most common etiology is iatrogenic. Traumatic and inflammatory strictures are rare. The congenital stricture differs fundamentally from acquired types of urethral strictures and would be termed more appropriately congenital urethral membrane. Urethral dilation and/or urethrotomy was unsuccessful in 47 per cent of our patients, leading to secondary formation of a new stricture in 2 instances. However, urethroplasty was successful in 83 per cent of the cases and seems to be indicated when 2 or more dilations are required.