Urethral Stricture
Urethral stricture is narrowing of the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The urethra can become narrow due to scar tissue from an injury or infection. This can make it difficult to pass urine.
In women, the urethra opens above the vaginal opening. In men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis, and the urethra is much longer than it is in women. Because of the length of the male urethra, urethral stricture is much more common in men. This condition is treated with surgery.
CAUSES
Common causes of urethral stricture in men and women include:
• Urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Use of a tube placed into the urethra to drain urine from the bladder …show more content…
• Ultrasound.
• Retrograde urethrogram. This is a type of test in which dye is injected into the urethra and then an X-ray is taken.
• Urethroscopy. This is when a thin tube with a light and camera on the end (urethroscope) is used to look at the urethra.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with surgery. The type of surgery that you have depends on the severity of your condition. You may have:
• Urethral dilation. In this procedure, the narrow part of the urethra is stretched open (dilated) with dilating instruments (sounds) or a small balloon.
• Urethrotomy. In this procedure, a urethroscope is placed into the urethra and the narrow part of the urethra is cut open with a surgical blade inserted through the urethroscope.
• Open surgery. In this procedure, an incision is made in the urethra, the narrow part is removed, and the urethra is reconstructed.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale
Urethral stricture is narrowing of the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The urethra can become narrow due to scar tissue from an injury or infection. This can make it difficult to pass urine.
In women, the urethra opens above the vaginal opening. In men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis, and the urethra is much longer than it is in women. Because of the length of the male urethra, urethral stricture is much more common in men. This condition is treated with surgery.
CAUSES
Common causes of urethral stricture in men and women include:
• Urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Use of a tube placed into the urethra to drain urine from the bladder …show more content…
• Ultrasound.
• Retrograde urethrogram. This is a type of test in which dye is injected into the urethra and then an X-ray is taken.
• Urethroscopy. This is when a thin tube with a light and camera on the end (urethroscope) is used to look at the urethra.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with surgery. The type of surgery that you have depends on the severity of your condition. You may have:
• Urethral dilation. In this procedure, the narrow part of the urethra is stretched open (dilated) with dilating instruments (sounds) or a small balloon.
• Urethrotomy. In this procedure, a urethroscope is placed into the urethra and the narrow part of the urethra is cut open with a surgical blade inserted through the urethroscope.
• Open surgery. In this procedure, an incision is made in the urethra, the narrow part is removed, and the urethra is reconstructed.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale