Direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) for short anterior urethral strictures is associated with a high rate of stricture recurrence. Optilume™ drug-coated balloon (ODCB) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive treatment alternative. However, comparative data between ODCB and DVIU are limited. This multicenter study aims to compare the two procedures in terms of functional outcomes and stricture-free survival (SFS) in patients with anterior urethral strictures. This multicenter retrospective study included 140 patients treated for anterior urethral stricture under 3 cm in length with either ODCB dilatation or internal urethrotomy. Data were collected from five European tertiary referral centers between November 2010 and April 2026. Stricture length was assessed by either cystoscopy, retrograde urethrography, or both. Stricture recurrence during follow-up was defined as symptomatic restenosis requiring reintervention. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of recurrence. SFS was estimated using Kaplan-Meier estimates, with group comparisons assessed using the log-rank test. A total of 68 (48
The Optilume® drug-coated balloon (DCB), combining mechanical dilation with localized paclitaxel delivery, is a novel minimally invasive treatment for urethral stricture disease. However, data on its effectiveness across different stricture locations are limited. This study evaluates functional outcomes following treatment for different strictures locations. This retrospective multicenter study included patients treated with Optilume® DCB for urethral strictures at five European tertiary care referral centers (June 2023 - June 2025). Stricture length was assessed by retrograde urethrography, cystoscopy, or both. Recurrence was defined as any symptomatic stricture requiring treatment. A multivariable logistic regression using preoperative data was developed to predict recurrence requiring treatment. In total 86 patients were included across four stricture locations: penile (n = 11, 13
