The effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on prevention of urethral stricture formed by electro-cauterisation of urethral tissue: Experimental study

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on fibrosis and inflammation in urethral stricture after urethral injury. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 28 4-month-old male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography were performed on 8 rabbits in sham group 1. Electrocauterization was performed to the urethra of 10 rabbits in group 2, which is the untreated group, and stenosis was created and no treatment was given. The treatment group was applied to the urethra of 10 rabbits in group 3, after stenosis by electrocauterization, a total of 21 days of treatment was applied in a specially constructed hyperbaric oxygen tank for 90 minutes under the pressure of 2 ATA for 90 minutes, without interruption, starting on the same day. Urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography were performed to evaluate the morphological changes of the rabbits in group 2 and group 3 after 30 days of follow-up, and all rabbits were sacrificed and penectomized. The urethra tissue was evaluated by a single histologist under a standard light microscope and histopathological analyses were performed. The data obtained from the groups were compared statistically with each other. Results: At the end of this study, 8, 10 and 10 rabbits in group 1, group 2 and group 3, respectively, were evaluated. Urethral diameters in group 1, group 2 and group 3 were 10.85 ± 1.15 mm, 2.15 ± 0.90 mm and 8.052 ± 1.90, respectively. Urethral diameters in the treatment group were statistically significant (p <0.001). The accumulation of collagen in submucosal connective tissue was significantly lower in the hyperbaric oxygen group compared to the untreated group. Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy limits the development of urethral stricture by reducing fibrosis and inflammation after urethral injury. Because of this effect, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be a treatment alternative to prevent the development of urethral stenosis after urethral injury and should be supported by new studies. Key Words: Urethral stricture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, experimental study