Advanced Treatment & Surgery for Urethral Stricture in Men
What is a Urethral Stricture?
The medical definition of stricture is “an abnormal narrowing of a canal or duct in the body.” A urethral stricture is when the urethra – the tube through which urine exits the body – becomes narrowed, causing urination to be difficult, sporadic or even painful. Additional symptoms may also include blood in the semen, blood in the urine, urinary retention and loss of bladder control.
Male urethral stricture is caused by scar tissue in or around the urethra that forms after injury, inflammation or infection. In advanced cases, surgery might be recommended.
The urology specialists at University Hospitals understand the sensitive nature of your concerns. We provide the utmost in compassionate, professional care and will explain your treatment options for urethral stricture and any other men’s health issues that may be a concern.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment at 216-844-3009.
Urethral Stricture Surgery Options
The highly skilled reconstructive urologists at University Hospitals have the expertise and experience to diagnose and treat urethral strictures with optimum outcomes. The most effective treatment will be determined based on the extent and severity of the narrowing.
- Urethroplasty
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For recurrent, long or severe urethral strictures, an open reconstruction surgical procedure called urethroplasty may be recommended. First, the surgeon removes the section of the urethra that contains the scar tissue. The remaining healthy tissue is then reconnected - sometimes using a flap of tissue taken from another part of the body, often the cheek. This is an outpatient surgery that can take up to four hours to complete. It is done under general anesthesia and patients go home the same day. Patients will have a urinary catheter in place for three weeks while the urethra is healing.
Urethroplasty is considered to be the gold standard treatment for urethral strictures with patients experiencing better outcomes and fewer recurrences than with other treatment methods.
- Internal Urethrotomy
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Also done under general anesthesia, an internal urethrotomy uses a scalpel or laser to cut away the scar tissue causing the urethral stricture. During this minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure, a thin tube equipped with a tiny camera is inserted into the urethra, allowing the doctor to see inside the body without making any external incisions. The stricture is located and removed using small surgical tools. After the procedure, a catheter will be in place for several days to help the bladder drain and prevent the urethra from narrowing during the healing process.
- Urethral Dilation
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If there is minimal scar tissue on the inside of the urethra, urethral dilation might be the best urethral stricture treatment for you. UH urology experts offer the latest technology for this procedure by using graduated tubes of increasing size or balloons to stretch the urethra. This procedure is done under general anesthesia.
Urethral Stenting
Another treatment option for some male patients with urethral stricture is the placement of small mesh tubes called stents inside the urethra to keep it open. Some stents are designed to be temporary and are removed after a few months. Other stents are designed to be left in place and become a permanent part of the urethra over time. Although urethral stents are rarely used, they are appropriate for some patients.