To determine the safety and efficacy of holmium laser core-through urethrotomy (HolCTU) for the treatment of post-traumatic obliterative stricture of the urethra.

From June 2002 to March 2003, 29 men underwent the core-through procedure. All the patients had obliterative strictures of the bulbomembranous urethra. The length of the stricture was 2.5 cm or less, with good alignment between the two urethral ends. The holmium laser was used to vaporize the obliterative fibrotic tissue. The procedure was guided by a metal sound introduced through the suprapubic tract. Catheter removal and voiding cystourethrography were done at 6 weeks after the procedure and urethroscopy 1 month after catheter removal.

At a mean follow-up of 15 months (range 10 to 19), the results were excellent in 19 (65.51%) of 29 patients. Nine (31.03%) had acceptable results; these patients failed to maintain good flow after HolCTU and required internal urethrotomy/endoscopic dilation once or twice for stabilization (maximal flow rate 15 mL/s or greater). Failure was seen in 1 patient (3.44%) who had recurrent obstruction despite repeated internal urethrotomy and finally required formal transpubic urethroplasty. The mean operating time was 40 minutes (range 30 to 90), with mean hospital stay of 8 hours (range 6 to 48). No perioperative complications occurred, except in 1 patient who developed small extravasation of fluid locally. All the patients were continent, and potency status was unaffected by HolCTU.

HolCTU is a safe and simple treatment for obliterative urethral strictures. The procedure is less morbid than open repair with a slightly greater failure rate.