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Novel application of drug-coated balloon in external urethral meatus stricture: urinary and sexual outcomes

International Journal of Impotence Research (2026)Cite this article

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Urethral strictures are a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in men [1] and remain one of the most challenging conditions in reconstructive urology due to their high recurrence rates [2, 3]. Despite advancements in minimally invasive management, the durability of single dilation or Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU) remains limited [4].

For meatal stenosis and fossa navicularis strictures, open reconstructive techniques—such as meatoplasty—are considered definitive. However, these procedures may be associated with changes in urinary and sexual function, as well as aesthetic concerns, leading some patients to seek less invasive alternatives [5].

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Mattia Lo Re, Marta Pezzoli & Andrea Cocci

  2. Unit of Urology and Andrology, Careggi Hospital, 50100, Florence, Italy

    Mattia Lo Re, Marta Pezzoli & Andrea Cocci

Authors
  1. Mattia Lo Re
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  2. Marta Pezzoli
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  3. Andrea Cocci
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Contributions

M.L.R. has given substantial contributions to the conception and design of the manuscript. M.P. collected data. and participated in drafting the manuscript. A.C. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mattia Lo Re.

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The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Ethical statement

The patient provided written informed consent for the off-label use of the device and for publication of anonymized clinical data and images. The procedure and data collection were conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant ethical guidelines.

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Lo Re, M., Pezzoli, M. & Cocci, A. Novel application of drug-coated balloon in external urethral meatus stricture: urinary and sexual outcomes. Int J Impot Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-026-01228-5

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