Minimally invasive techniques of urethral stricture treatment and their use in patients of pediatric age (literature review); [Минимально инвазивные методы лечения стриктуры уретры и их применение в детском возрасте (обзор литературы)]

Urethral stricture remains one of the most discussed problems in pediatric urology. Despite a significant number of articles and the existence of a wide variety of methods for treating urethral strictures and their modifications, every new generation of urologists encounters this problem. Treatment of urethral stricture often takes a long time and requires multiple surgical interventions. Treatment techniques continuously improve, therefore it is appropriate to regularly summarize new data. Such methods as bougienage, balloon dilation and urethral stenting are still being used, although as early as in the beginning of the 19th century the first types of such modern method as optical internal urethrotomy were developed. In relation to optical internal urethrotomy, discussions on indications, techniques, duration of catheterization, necessity of combination with intermittent catheterization, use of hormonal drugs continue. The question of the number of attempts to perform urethrotomy also remains controversial. In this review, we tried to clarify the problem of use of minimally invasive techniques for urethral stricture treatment in children in the context of current scientific data and historical aspects. © 2023 The authors.