Urethral strictures in children.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: The review is an attempt to present the current literature regarding strictures in children to provide an evidence-based recommendation regarding diagnosis and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS: The level of evidence upon which to base therapy of strictures in children is low and consists mostly of case series from single institutions. Hence most of the information is extrapolated from the adult literature. A consensus committee of the Societe Internationale d'Urologie reviewed the literature, and the committee report (which is as yet unpublished) provides the basis for most of the information herein.

SUMMARY: Because there is relatively little information published on this subject, there is a need for prospective studies and multi-institutional series. Additionally, there is a need for basic studies of urethral wound healing to provide a better understanding of the problem.