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10.4103/aja202597
Exploring better methods for treating urethral stricture caused by lichen sclerosus
An, Jia-Qi; Wang, Jian-Wei
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100035, China
Correspondence: Dr. JW Wang (wangjianwei77@126.com)
Received: 30 June 2025; Accepted: 15 October 2025; published online: 27 January 2026
| Abstract |
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Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis significantly associated with urethral stricture disease (USD), particularly affecting the genitalia in both sexes. While topical corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy for LS, their efficacy for deep urethral involvement is limited. Surgical intervention, primarily urethroplasty utilizing buccal mucosa grafts or lingual mucosa grafts, is often required for LS-associated USD but is associated with risks of recurrence and complications. This review explores the etiology, highlighting the roles of immune dysregulation, genetic factors, and the resulting fibrosis. Furthermore, we emphasize the emerging potential of urethral tissue engineering, which uses scaffolds seeded with progenitor or stem cells, as a promising approach for reconstructing complex LS-related strictures, although clinical translation remains limited. Future research should focus on optimizing tissue engineering solutions.
Keywords: lichen sclerosus; tissue engineering; urethral stricture
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