Open Access

HOW I DO IT

How I Do It: The Optilume drug-coated balloon for urethral strictures

Dean S. Elterman¹, Karl Coutinho², Judith C. Hagedorn³

1 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2 New Jersey Urology, Millburn, New Jersey, USA
3 Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Dean S. Elterman, Toronto Western Hospital, Main Pavilion, 8th Floor, Room 317, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8 Canada

Canadian Journal of Urology 2020, 27(4), 10322-10328.

Abstract

Urethral stricture disease can be difficult to treat and stricture recurrence is common. The management of stricture disease has evolved and urethroplasty can achieve a high rate of lasting urethral patency. Nevertheless, endoscopic treatments still seem to have sub-optimal outcomes with high stricture recurrence rates. The Optilume drug-coated balloon represents a step forward in the endoscopic management of urethral strictures. The drug-coated balloon may offer an intermediate step prior to repeated dilations, urethrostomies, or urethroplasty. This treatment modality is a promising alternative to current endoscopic management and an option for patients that are poor surgical candidates or decline urethroplasty.

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