Background: Urethral stricture (post-scarring contraction in the urethral mucosa) is among the most challenging clinical conditions in urology. In Pakistan, Urethral stricture is a high-volume disease and constitutes 4-5% of urology workload (majority of them being in the 3rd to 5th decade of life). Different urethral strictures have different management option depending upon site, size and number of recurrences. OIU is indicated for urethral stricture for small (1.5 cm) bulbar and membranous urethral stricture. However, recurrence of strictures after OIU is quite common                (4 to 5%). It has been proposed that duration and size of catheter after OIU effects the recurrence rate. The foremost management choice is internal urethrotomy, but recurrences are common, and many believe that the duration and size of catheterization post internal urethrotomy may affect the recurrence rate. Objective: To determine the factors affecting recurrence rates of urethral stricture after internal urethrotomy. Methodology: It was Quasi Experimental Study conducted in Urology ward of Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi from 10th March 2020 to 31 december 2021. Total 60 patients were included; all of the patients were divided into four equal groups. All the patients were followed quarterly for 12 months and data was recorded for urinary flow, retention, burning sensation during urination. UFM, Cystoscopy and urethrogram were done once indicated. Symptomatic patients or patients with UFM 15ml/sec were checked for recurrence followed by cystoscopy if needed. The data analysis was obtained using SPSS v. 21.0. Results: The mean age of the sample stood at 27 (SD ± 4) years (range: 20 to 40) years were enrolled in the study. Urethral stricture disease recurred cumulatively in 24 (40%) patients within 12 months. Mean duration of catheterization was 8.71 ± 1.1 and 2.97 ± 0.91 days in patients with and without recurrences, respectively (p=0.001). Catheter dwell times for ≥7 days was associated with increased recurrence (p=0.039). Of the patients with recurrent strictures, increased catheter diameter was also associated with higher recurrence rates (p=0.041). Conclusion: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that longer catheter in-dwell time and greater catheter diameter lead to a greater probability of stricture recurrence and hence the indwell time should be limited to ≤ 3 days and the catheter size chosen to be no more than 16Fr.

Background: The worldwide prevalence of developing renal stones is as high as 15% with an estimated 1 in every 5 persons being affected with the condition in Pakistan. Among the many treatment options available for renal calculi, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is among the commonest owing to its non-invasive nature, however, it has its drawbacks; one being limitation against dense stones.   Objective: To assess association between stone density (detected on CT KUB) and ESWL outcome among patients with renal calculi. Methodology: This clinical trial was conducted upon a sample of 150 patients (of either gender, aged 16 to 70 years) presenting to the Urology out-patient, emergency and lithotripsy department of Ziauddin University Hospital with renal calculi from 30th August 2017 to 30th September 2019. After taking written informed consent, data was recorded onto a prestructured questionnaire containing inquiries pertaining to basic biodata, sociodemographic details, and disease history, inferences obtained from C.T KUB, operative notes and the eventual treatment outcome. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0.  Results: The mean age of the sample stood at 36.7 (SD ± 3.1). 104 (69.3%) patients had multiple calculi and 46(30.7%) have single calculi with mean density of 812 (SD ± 219) HU. A (having stone density <500-HU) group B (having stone density 501 to 1000-HU) and group C (having stone density >1000-HU). The success of group A was 95.34% group B was 88.5% and group C was 80.3%. Major proportion of the sample (39.3%) required up to 3 ESWL sessions. The stone density was observed to be inversely proportional to the success of ESWL.  Conclusion: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that higher stone density is associated with a poor ESWL outcome and thus other treatment modalities may be considered among patients with a stone density of more than 900 HU.

Objective: To evaluate the attitude, general level of knowledge and practices regarding the common urological problems in non urological doctors Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in multiple tertiary care hospitals and private clinics between August 2018 to December 2019. All the general physicians having their private practice or those working in Agha Khan University Hospital, Civil Hospital Karachi, Liaquat National Hospital, Jinnah postgraduate hospital, and Ziauddin Hospital were included in the study. General physicians belonging to the urology department were excluded from the study. Results: Most of the doctors could easily diagnose gross hematuria (55.17%) but microscopic hematuria was missed by many(34.96%). Risk assessment of bladder carcinoma like smoking , any chemical exposure , previous history of hematuria etc was not addressed by the majority of gynecologists (69.03%), physicians(52.54%) as well as internists (32.72%). While most physicians assess gross hematuria by ultrasound, microscopic hematuria is not further investigated by a significant percentage of physicians. During survey it was revealed that most of the physicians use antibiotics as the the mainstay of treatment for hematuria without considering the urine c/s and cytology. Conclusion: A trend of overuse of antibiotics and reluctance of primary care doctors in referring the patient to the specified doctor was seen. It was noted that there is a lack of understanding and knowledge among non urological doctors regarding a common sign. Keywords: awareness, hematuria, general physician, urology