Urethral stricture is a disease that affects the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. When this conduit is narrowed due to different causes (infection, trauma, previous surgeries), it produces what is known as urethral stricture and can significantly affect the quality of life, as well as the integrity of the urinary system by producing repeated urinary tract infections, bleeding, urinary retention, etc.
Treatment of urethral stricture:
Urethral reconstructive surgery
How can we treat urethral stricture?
Urethral dilatations or the use of temporary urethral stents as initial treatment does not cure the disease. It is essential, first of all, that the patient be evaluated by an expert, who will make an accurate diagnosis of the location and length of the urethral stricture/ stricture, which will allow planning the best treatment strategy. Please ask your urologist what experience he/she has in this type of procedure.
The first option to treat urethral stricture may be what we call endoscopic urethrotomy (incisional opening of the stricture using an endoscopic device called a urethrotome). Nowadays, it is also possible to consider the use of a drug-impregnated balloon catheter. This is a treatment that combines dilatation of the stricture by means of a balloon with the simultaneous administration of an antiproliferative drug that prevents recurrence of the obstruction.
In more complex or recurrent cases (it is not uncommon for urethral stricture to recur), urethral reconstructive surgery is the best option. This procedure seeks to restore the normal patency of the urethral duct by addressing the underlying cause of the narrowing, removing the fibrous tissue and replacing it with a mucosal graft from the patient’s own mouth (jugal mucosal augmentation) or, after removal of the fibrous tissue, by approximating the ends of the healthy urethra (termino-terminal urethroplasty).
Urethral Reconstructive Surgery
The surgery for the treatment of urethral stricture will be performed by Dr. Lledó, a specialist in reconstructive urology with extensive experience in this type of cases.
The technique used for this urethral stricture treatment will be decided according to the specific needs of the patient, so Dr. Lledó will study and analyze the case in a personalized way. The doctor works with both the urethroplasty technique, which involves surgical repair of the urethra to definitively treat the stricture, and autologous tissue grafts (oral mucosa) to reconstruct the urethra and restore its normal function.
One of the key benefits of urethral reconstructive surgery is the possibility of achieving significant improvement in the patient’s symptoms and preventing long-term recurrences. In addition, this customized surgical approach allows the specific causes of urethral stricture to be addressed, providing longer lasting results and improved quality of life.
What symptoms does a patient with urethral stricture present?
The symptoms of urethral stricture can vary from patient to patient, but all of them can negatively impact your quality of life, so it is essential to seek professional care if you experience these problems.
The main symptoms that usually occur are:
Difficulty urinatin
Weak urine stream
Increased urinary frequency.
Throughout the day and night, making it very difficult to have normal professional and social activities or to achieve a deep and quality sleep.
Incomplete sensation of bladder emptying. Urgency and even urinary incontinence.
In more severe cases, urinary retention
Main Causes of urethral stricture
Understanding the underlying cause of this problem is crucial in determining the best treatment approach. Although in each patient it may originate from a different cause, the most common causes are:
- Traumatic injuries, such as blows or accidents, can cause damage to the urethra and trigger scarring processes that lead to narrowing of the duct, producing urethral stricture.
- Infections in the urethra.
- Previous medical interventions, such as surgeries or other procedures in the genital area or urinary tract, can increase the risk of developing urethral stricture.
- Peyronie's disease can also affect the urethra and, consequently, contribute to narrowing.
- In some cases, urethral stricture may be congenital, that is, present from birth due to abnormalities in the development of the urinary tract.
- Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as lichen sclerosus (classically called balanitis xerotica obliterans) can cause urethral strictures in a high percentage of patients.
Would you like to contact Dr. Lledó?
Specialist in treating complex cases of reconstructive urology.
