Direct vision balloon dilation for the management of urethral strictures

Abstract

Urethral strictures are often initially managed with dilation using sequential metal sounds or filiform and follower dilators. While these techniques often successfully achieve at least a temporary increase to the caliber of the area of stricture, they are performed without visual guidance, and complications can include false passage and urethral perforation. We describe the first use of balloon dilator that allows the safe, controlled, and gentle and dilation of urethral strictures under direct vision.