1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Aims and scope
The European Association of Urology (EAU) Urethral Strictures Guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive overview of urethral strictures in male, female and transgender patients. The Panel is aware of the geographical variations in healthcare provision.
It must be emphasised that guidelines present the best evidence available to the experts, however, following guideline recommendations will not necessarily result in the best outcome. Guidelines can never replace clinical expertise when making treatment decisions for individual patients, but rather help to focus decisions – also taking personal values and preferences/individual circumstances of patients into account. Guidelines are not mandates and do not purport to be a legal standard of care.
1.2. Panel composition
The EAU Urethral Strictures Guidelines panel consists of an international multidisciplinary group of clinicians with particular expertise in this area. All experts involved in the production of this document have submitted potential conflict of interest statements, which can be viewed on the EAU website: https://uroweb.org/guidelines/urethral-strictures.
1.3. Available publications
Alongside the full text version, a quick reference document (Pocket Guidelines) is available in print. This is an abridged version which may require consultation together with the full text version. All documents can be viewed through the EAU website: https://uroweb.org/guidelines/urethral-strictures. A list of supplementary tables supporting this text can also be found online, along with an appendix of abbreviations specific to this text: https://uroweb.org/guidelines/urethral-strictures/publications-appendices.
An EAU Guidelines app for iOS and Android devices is also available, containing the Pocket Guidelines, interactive algorithms and calculators, clinical decision support tools, guidelines cheat sheets and links to the extended guidelines.
1.4. Publication history
These Guidelines were first published in 2021. Additional information can be found in the general Methodology section of this print, and online at the EAU website: http://www.uroweb.org/guidelines/. A list of associations endorsing the EAU Guidelines can also be viewed online at the above address.
1.5. Summary of changes
The literature for the complete document has been assessed and all chapters of the 2026 Urethral Strictures Guidelines have been updated. Key changes include:
- New text additions and restructure to Chapter 4.
- Substantial incorporation of new text and references throughout Chapter 6, including an update to the recommendation on 'hot' or 'cold knife' techniques to perform DVIU in Section 6.2.1.
- Updated summary of evidence table in Section 6.2.3.
- New text and references throughout Chapter 7 and 9.
- Updated summary of evidence and recommendations on flexible cystoscopy in Section 11.6.