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Stricture formation after transurethral prostatectomy was studied in a randomized clinical trial including 185 patients. The patients were allocated to either a 2-day urethral catheter-dilation or internal Otis urethrotomy and to an operation with either a polytetrafluoroethylene coated or an uninsulated metal resectoscope. Urethral stricture was defined as an obstruction resulting in a maximum urine flow rate of less than 15 ml. per second and not permitting the passage of a 21F cystoscope. The frequency of urethral strictures was significantly lower after Otis internal urethrotomy (4 per cent) than after a 2-day urethral catheter dilation (16 per cent). The incidence of stricture formation was similar in patients operated on with a polytetrafluoroethylene coated (8 per cent) and with an uninsulated metal (12 per cent) resectoscope sheath. The incidence of stricture formation was unrelated to age, duration of preoperative and postoperative catheterization, operating time and presence of urinary tract infection.