Home >>Urethral Stricture
What is the treatment for urethral stricture?
Treatment is usually advised to improve the flow rate of urine, to ease symptoms and to prevent possible complications. Treatment advised by urologist depends on factors such as the site and length of your stricture, also your age and general well-being.
Treatment is usually advised to improve the flow rate of urine, to ease symptoms and to prevent possible complications. Treatment advised by urologist depends on factors such as the site and length of your stricture, also your age and general well-being.
What is urethral dilatation?
This is usually done by passing a thin, lubricated plastic rod (boogie) into the urethra. Rods of increasing thickness are gently inserted to gradually widen the narrowed stricture. However, a stricture often tends gradually to narrow again after each dilation. Therefore, a repeat dilation is commonly needed ever so often when symptoms recur. (selected people are given a self-lubricating tube (catheter) which they insert themselves regularly to keep a stricture dilated.)
This is usually done by passing a thin, lubricated plastic rod (boogie) into the urethra. Rods of increasing thickness are gently inserted to gradually widen the narrowed stricture. However, a stricture often tends gradually to narrow again after each dilation. Therefore, a repeat dilation is commonly needed ever so often when symptoms recur. (selected people are given a self-lubricating tube (catheter) which they insert themselves regularly to keep a stricture dilated.)
What is endoscopic cutting of stricture called?
In visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) procedure, a thin telescope is passed into the urethra to see exactly where the stricture is. A tiny knife is then passed down the telescope to cut along the stricture. This widens the narrowed stricture. You will get relief of symptoms from this procedure. However, like dilation, the stricture may recur and the procedure may have to be repeated from time to time in some cases.
Generally, the shorter the stricture, the greater the chance of a cure with this procedure.
Recently laser can be used to cut the stricture similar to knife.( laser VIU)
In visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) procedure, a thin telescope is passed into the urethra to see exactly where the stricture is. A tiny knife is then passed down the telescope to cut along the stricture. This widens the narrowed stricture. You will get relief of symptoms from this procedure. However, like dilation, the stricture may recur and the procedure may have to be repeated from time to time in some cases.
Generally, the shorter the stricture, the greater the chance of a cure with this procedure.
Recently laser can be used to cut the stricture similar to knife.( laser VIU)
What surgery are done for stricture urethra?
A corrective operation which is called a urethroplasty is performed if the above procedures do not work. Various techniques are used. For example, a short stricture can be cut out and the two ends of the healthy urethra stitched together.
If the stricture is longer, mucosal graft urethroplasty is advisable. A graft is usually used from the inside of your cheek to form the new section of your urethra. Urologist will decide which operation is best for the length and site of your stricture. There is essentially a high success rate in curing symptoms with these operations.
Narrow segment of urethra exicsed
and stitching together narrow urethra
A corrective operation which is called a urethroplasty is performed if the above procedures do not work. Various techniques are used. For example, a short stricture can be cut out and the two ends of the healthy urethra stitched together.
If the stricture is longer, mucosal graft urethroplasty is advisable. A graft is usually used from the inside of your cheek to form the new section of your urethra. Urologist will decide which operation is best for the length and site of your stricture. There is essentially a high success rate in curing symptoms with these operations.
Narrow segment of urethra exicsed
and stitching together narrow urethra