Optilume for treating recurrent bulbar urethral strictures

1.1 Optilume is recommended as an option to treat recurrent bulbar urethral strictures in adults only if comparative data is collected on:

1.2 Find out details of required outcomes in the section on further research.

Why the committee made these recommendations

Optilume done in an outpatient setting could reduce the waiting times for treatment of recurrent bulbar urethral strictures. The comparative clinical evidence shows that Optilume is effective in the short term (up to 2 years). But how effective and safe it is in the long term (up to 5 years) compared with standard endoscopic management is uncertain. So, more long-term data collection is needed on retreatment rates and patient-reported outcomes.

The cost analysis shows that Optilume is cost saving at 5 years compared with standard care (urethral dilatation, urethrotomy and urethroplasty). The uncertainty about the likelihood of recurrence in the long term limits the reliability of the longer-term cost savings.