Urethroplasty: Procedure, Risks, Results & Recovery
Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat urethral stricture. The urethra is a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As men get older, the urethra may get narrowed down further and this can obstruct the normal flow of pee. Due to this, urine can get backed up in the kidneys. Further, this can lead to infections and even kidney damage. Hence, it should be treated without any delay and urethroplasty is an effective procedure to treat urethral stricture.
What is Urethroplasty?
Urethroplasty is an open surgery for treating urethral stricture. It is different from the urethral dilation procedure that requires a deep incision. Urethroplasty is an advanced procedure and it requires an incision through your skin to repair the stricture. Hence, the surgeon will consider several aspects and perform several tests before performing this procedure.
What Happens Before Urethroplasty?
Before performing urethroplasty, the surgeon will ask you to undergo certain tests such as urinalysis, urine culture, cystoscopy, imaging tests, etc. All these tests help the surgeon to rule out infections, and know the size and location of the stricture. The surgeon also gives you instructions on what to eat and drink before and after surgery and about the medications you use. You need to remove all your jewellery and should wear a hospital gown to undergo urethroplasty.
An IV drip will be placed through the vein of your hand or arm to supply fluids and medicines. You will also be given general anesthesia to make you fall asleep and feel no pain during the procedure.
What Happens During Urethroplasty?
The surgeon will make an incision near the stricture and this can be in the skin between the scrotum and the anus. Once the stricture is identified and located, the stricture is cut off. Now, the remaining ends of the urethra are stitched together. If the blockage is longer, then the urethra is fixed using the skin and tissue from other parts of the body such as the mouth, or genitals.
In some cases, you may need one more surgery to fix the urethra. The surgeon will decide whether you need another surgery to fix it. Once the procedure is completed, the incisions are closed with stitches. After the procedure, a catheter is placed in the urethra for about 2 to 4 weeks. This will help to drain urine until your urethra heals completely.
Recovery and Results After the Procedure
After the procedure is completed, you will be moved to the recovery room. You need to stay in the hospital until you are ready to be discharged. You will be given pain medications to deal with the pain. You may have swelling and bruising to some extent. You can use compresses for the first 12 hours at the incision site to prevent swelling and bruising. You should avoid sitting and driving for long periods until you have a catheter. When you are comfortable, you can walk and climb stairs. The recovery time varies from one person to another. The surgeon will tell you when you can return to your daily routine.
Many patients get satisfactory results with urethroplasty. After the procedure, you will notice a stronger force of the urine stream and urine flow improves.
Possible Risks of Urethroplasty
Every procedure can cause some side-effects including urethroplasty. The following are the possible risks of urethroplasty:
- Infections
- Blood clots
- The urethral stricture may reoccur
- Blockage or leakage of catheter
- Pain in the scrotum
- Changes in the ability to ejaculate
- Leakage of urine or semen out of your penis
It is important to attend all the follow-up appointments to avoid the above-mentioned risks.
Want to Know About Urethroplasty? Meet Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy Today
If you have been suffering from urethral stricture and looking for medical assistance, meet Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy, an experienced pediatric urologist. He carefully listens and understands your issues and provides an individualized solution for you. He uses advanced technology, and techniques and is fully capable of diagnosing and treating your condition. He also has effective staff who can provide the best care for you. To discuss your condition with Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy, give us a call or drop us an email.