Best Treatment of Urethral Stricture

Urethra is a tube that carries urine outside the body, in both men and women. This narrow tube can get blocked, inflamed, or damaged, making it difficult to pass urine. The technical term for the issue is “urethral stricture”. This can happen suddenly or the condition might develop gradually. Urethral stricture is often painful, as it slows the urine stream and makes it painful to pass it. You must see a urologist in Navi Mumbai immediately if you have developed sudden inflammation, swelling, and pain in the urethra along with other symptoms of urethral stricture.

Treatment Options for Urethral Stricture

Treatment for urethral stricture depends on the severity of the condition, the patient’s health, the size, and the symptoms. Here are some common treatment options:

1) Urethral Dilatation

If it’s a small and less severe stricture, dilatation can help. The procedure involves enlarging your urethra with a wire and dilators. It’s a minimally invasive procedure and the best choice for those with small strictures.

2) Urethrotomy

Urethrotomy involves a cystoscope, a thin tube through which a medical instrument is put into the urethra to clear the blockage. After the blockage is cleared, your healthcare provider will put a catheter in place for a few days. You might notice blood in the urine for some time, but that’s normal with most urinary tract procedures. The only downside to this treatment is the possibility of the stricture returning.

Also Read: Understanding Urethral Stricture Disease

3) Urethral Reconstruction or Urethroplasty

If the above procedure fails, urethroplasty is recommended. It’s an open surgical procedure that removes the blocked tissues in your urethra, which are then reconstructed and the area is stitched. The surgeon might reconstruct your urethra using the skin from your lips, cheeks, or penis (in males). Urethroplasty is the most advanced urethral stricture treatment in Navi Mumbai, as the risk of the stricture returning is quite low after a complete urethral reconstruction.

4) Stent Implantation

People diagnosed with a severe urethral stricture can also consider stent implantation. Patients who are not in a state to undergo surgical reconstruction surgery can opt for stent implantation. In this procedure, a stent is placed permanently into the urethra to keep it wide open.

Considerations and Risks for Urethral Structure Procedures

Any procedure on your urinary tract, whether surgical or minimally invasive, carries risk. Dilatation is an outpatient procedure and doesn’t involve any serious complications. The only risk in the procedure is the recurrence of the stricture. Urethrotomy is another safe procedure with minimal risk of scarring and infection, but like dilatation, there’s a risk of the condition recurring.

An implanted stent and catheter that’s left inserted into the urethra for a long period increases the risk of bladder irritation, UTI, discomfort, pain, and other complications. You must follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to get the stent checked.

Conclusion

Urethral stricture generates positive results in most cases, but there’s a risk it might recur again, especially if you choose dilatation. Talk to your surgeon to discuss the benefits, risks, and recovery period of each procedure.