Urethral Stricture
What is a Urethral Stricture?
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra. This narrowing can restrict urine flow and lead to difficulty passing urine, recurrent infections, and bladder problems if left untreated.
Common Symptoms
- Weak urine stream
- Straining while passing urine
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Frequent urination
- Burning during urination
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Spraying of urine stream
- Urinary retention (inability to pass urine)
Causes
- Previous catheterization
- Trauma to the urethra or pelvis
- Prior surgeries involving the urinary tract
- Infections and inflammation
- Lichen sclerosus (a skin condition affecting the genital area)
- Congenital narrowing (rare)
Diagnosis
A detailed evaluation may include:
- Clinical examination
- Uroflowmetry (urine flow test)
- Ultrasound assessment
- Retrograde urethrogram (RGU)
- Micturating cystourethrogram (MCU)
- Urethroscopy or cystoscopy
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the length, location, and severity of the stricture.
Urethral Dilatation
A minimally invasive procedure that temporarily widens the narrowed segment.
Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU)
An endoscopic procedure where the scar tissue is incised internally.
Urethroplasty
A definitive reconstructive surgery that offers the highest long-term success rates for most urethral strictures. Various techniques, including buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty and staged reconstruction, may be used depending on the condition.
Expert Reconstructive Urology Care
As a reconstructive urologist, Dr. Saurabh Thakkar specializes in the evaluation and surgical management of simple and complex urethral strictures, including recurrent, long-segment, and panurethral strictures.