Epilation of hair-Bearing urethral grafts utilizing the neodymium: YAG surgical laser

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Non‐hair‐bearing skin should be utilized when grafting is necessary in carrying out urethroplasty for stricture or hypospadius repair. Occasionally this is not possible, or hair‐bearing skin is used inadvertently. Traditionally electrocoagulation has been the method used for epilation when intraluminal hair has become a problem, such as interfering with flow, being foci for recurring urinary tract infection, or acting as a nidus for calculus formation. Electrocautery is also used at the time of grafting in an attempt to prevent the growth of hair when hair‐bearing skin is utilized. Unfortunately, because of lack of penetration, the hair follicles are not destroyed and the epilating procedure fails or is only partially successful. The neodymium: YAG (Nd:YAG) surgical laser can photocoagulate tissue to a depth up to 5.0 mm and thus has the ability to destroy hair follicles. We report three cases presenting with clinical problems directly related to hair‐bearing urethral grafts successfully treated by Nd:YAG epilation.