The Efficacy and Safety of a Conservative Management Approach to Radiation-Induced Male Urethral Strictures in Elderly Patients With Comorbidities

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the outcomes of a conservative management approach to radiation-induced urethral stricture disease (R-USD) in an elderly population with comorbidities. Methods: Patients with R-USD managed with endoscopic procedures and/or clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) between 2007 and 2019 were included. Patients were excluded if they had an obliterative stricture, prior urethral reconstruction/urinary diversion surgery, or < 3 months follow-up. Primary outcome measures were urinary tract infection (UTI), acute urinary retention (AUR), serum creatinine, uroflowmetry/post-void residual, and urinary incontinence (UI). Failure was defined as progression to reconstructive surgery or permanent indwelling catheterization. Results: Ninety-one men were analyzed with a median follow-up of 15.0 months (IQR 8.9 to 37.9). Median age was 75.4 years (IQR 70.0 to 80.0), body mass index was 26.5 kg/m2 (IQR 24.8 to 30.3), and Charlson comorbidity index was 6 (IQR 5 to 8). Median stricture length was 2.0 cm (IQR 2.0 to 3.0). Stricture location was bulbar (12%), bulbomembranous (75%), and prostatic (13%). A total of 90% underwent dilation, and 44% underwent direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU). For those that underwent these procedures, median number of dilations and DVIUs per patient was 2 (IQR 1 to 5) and 1 (IQR 1 to 3), respectively. Forty percent used CIC. Thirty-four percent developed a UTI, and 15% had an AUR episode requiring urgent treatment. Creatinine values, uroflowmetry measurements, and UI rates remained stable. Eighty percent avoided reconstructive surgery or indwelling catheterization. Conclusion: Most elderly patients with comorbidities with R-USD appear to be effectively managed in the short-term with conservative strategies. Close observation is warranted because of the risk of UTIs and AUR. The potential long-term consequences of repetitive conservative interventions must be considered

Keywords

• radiotherapy
• urethral stricture
• dilation
• intermittent catheterization