Aims: Evaluation of dilatation as a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of ureteric strictures.
Material and methods: We evaluated this technique in 16 patients with ureteric and secondary pelviureteric junction strictures from June 1998. Of these, 7 were men and 9 were women. The age range was from 14 to 40 years.
Results: Balloon dilatation was successful in 69% of patients. Strictures secondary to previous surgery had nearly 100% success. Of the 8 cases diagnosed as genitourinary tuberculosis, success rate was 50%.
Conclusions: Factors affecting success of balloon dilatation are: a) age of the stricture b) length of the stricture and c) etiology of the stricture. In a select group of patients with fresh post-operative or post-inflammatory strictures, balloon dilatation may be an attractive alternative to surgery.