Urethral Stricture

What are the treatments for the condition?

Urethra strictures are often opened up by inserting catheters, with or without balloons on the end, into the urethra. This method is effective in treating short strictures but not as useful for longer ones.

The next step is a procedure called endoscopic internal urethrotomy. This involves cutting open the stricture from the inside using a knife, laser, or electrocautery. It is done through an endoscope. Most of the time this technique works only for short to medium length strictures located in the front of the urethra.

The most effective technique is open surgery to cut out the stricture. The spliced ends of the urethra are then reattached. Sometimes a graft is used to patch the excised segment. For people with severe strictures who choose not to undergo open surgery, permanent catheters or stents can be inserted into the urethra.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Urinary catheters need to stay in place for a period of time after many procedures. These can cause infection, bladder irritation, and discomfort.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Strictures are prone to return after dilation with catheters or endoscopic removal. Open surgery to repair the stricture carries the risks of bleeding, infection, and damage to the penis or other pelvic structures.

How is the condition monitored?

A person treated for urethral strictures should have follow-ups for at least one year. This is to watch for reoccurrence of the stricture. The primary monitoring test used is uroflowmetry, a test which measures the rate of urine flow during urination.