URETHROPLASTY

WHAT IS URETHROPLASTY?

Urethroplasty is an open surgical reconstruction or replacement of the urethra that has been narrowed by scar tissue and spongiofibrosis (urethral stricture). The type of surgery depends upon the location, cause, and length of the stricture. Most surgeries take between three to six hours to complete.

An incision is made over the area of the stricture in the penis, scrotum, or perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus). After surgery, a urethral catheter is left in for two to four weeks depending upon the type of surgery that was performed. When patients return to clinic the bladder is filled with X-ray contrast and the catheter is gently removed.

How long will recovery time take?

Most patients recover fairly quickly after the procedure but the swelling from the surgery may take weeks to get better. In general it is recommended to limit activity to basic needs until the penis drain (catheter) is removed. Pain should improve in the first week after surgery.

WHAT CAUSES URETHRAL STRICTURE?

The most common cause appears to be chronic inflammation or the development of scar tissue. Scar tissues can be formed from:-

An injury to the penis or scrotum or a straddle injury.
An infection, most often sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia.
Placement of catheters or instruments used by urologists during surgery or procedures to examine the urethra and bladder.

The scar tissue causes the urethra to become gradually narrow, making it more difficult for urine to flow. Sometimes, the inflammation/injury to the urethra happens long before the stricture becomes noticeable. In other cases, the stricture happens soon after a urethral injury.