Urethral Stricture

What Is Urethroplasty Surgery? - Urethral Stricture Treatment in India

A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra that can make it difficult to pass urine. This short explains urethroplasty, the surgical procedure used to repair the stricture and restore normal urine flow.

Understanding urethral strictures

A urethral stricture is a section of scar tissue that narrows the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.

• Common causes. Strictures can result from injury, infection, previous medical procedures, or sometimes the cause is unknown.
• Typical symptoms. You may notice a weak urine stream, straining to urinate, spraying of urine, or frequent urinary tract infections.
• How it is diagnosed. Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination and imaging tests like a urethrogram or a cystoscopy to see the location and length of the stricture.

The urethroplasty procedure

Urethroplasty is a surgical operation to repair a stricture. It is often recommended when other, less invasive treatments have not been successful.

• The surgical goal. The aim is to remove the scarred, narrowed tissue and reconstruct the urethra to create a wide and stable channel for urine.
• Surgical techniques. For short strictures, the surgeon may remove the scarred section and rejoin the healthy ends. For longer strictures, a graft of tissue, often from the inside of your cheek, may be used to widen the urethra.
• During the operation. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The specific approach depends on the location and length of the stricture.
• A temporary catheter. A urinary catheter is placed at the end of surgery to allow the repair to heal. It is usually kept in place for two to three weeks.

Recovery and expectations

• Hospital stay. You can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days for monitoring after the procedure.
• At-home recovery. You will receive instructions on how to care for your catheter and incision. Strenuous activity is usually restricted for several weeks.
• Follow-up care. Regular follow-up appointments are important to monitor your healing and check the success of the repair.
• Potential outcomes. Urethroplasty has a high success rate in restoring urine flow, but there is a risk that the stricture could return over time.

The suitability of urethroplasty and the specific surgical technique used depends on your individual case. A final decision can only be made by a specialist after a full review of your medical reports and recent imaging.