UROLOGY · CONDITIONS
Urethral Stricture
Narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue, causing progressive urinary obstruction , correctable with endoscopic or reconstructive surgical techniques.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION
What is Urethral Stricture?
A urethral stricture is a narrowing caused by scar tissue in the urethral wall, commonly resulting from gonorrhoea, trauma, catheterisation, or lichen sclerosus. It causes a progressive deterioration in urine flow, recurrent infections, and eventually urinary retention. Dr. Vipin offers the full spectrum of stricture surgery , from minimally invasive endoscopic urethrotomy for short strictures to complex buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for long or recurrent disease , achieving durable restoration of normal urinary flow.
SIGNS TO WATCH
Common Symptoms
Symptoms that need attention
WHY IT HAPPENS
Causes & Risk Factors
- Gonococcal urethritis (gonorrhoea)
- Trauma , straddle injuries, pelvic fracture
- Lichen sclerosus (BXO) , inflammatory scarring
- Previous urological surgery or catheterisation
- Hypospadias repair complications
- Radiation to the pelvis
CLINICAL DETAILS
KeyFacts
Retrograde urethrogram (RGU) and urethroscopy define stricture length, site, and severity.
Optical internal urethrotomy for short strictures (<1.5 cm) , day-care, high initial success.
Gold standard for longer or recurrent strictures , EPA or BMG graft with >85% long-term success.
Two-stage reconstruction for complex pan-urethral or lichen sclerosus-related strictures.
Post-treatment flow rate confirms improvement and monitors for recurrence.
OIU has higher recurrence; urethroplasty provides durable permanent cure.
HOW WE TREAT IT
Treatment Approach
BMG Urethroplasty (Buccal Mucosa Graft)
Gold standard open surgical reconstruction using buccal mucosa from the inner cheek to augment or replace the strictured urethra , the most durable treatment for complex strictures.
- 1
Urethrogram & Scope
RGU and flexible urethroscopy precisely map stricture length, location, and calibre , guiding the choice between endoscopic and open repair.
- 2
Endoscopic Option
For short (<1.5 cm) single strictures, OIU with a cold knife or laser is performed as a day-care procedure under short anaesthesia.
- 3
Urethroplasty
For longer, recurrent, or lichen sclerosus strictures, EPA or BMG urethroplasty is performed , reconstructing the urethra with durable tissue.
- 4
Follow-up
Post-operative uroflowmetry at 3, 6, and 12 months confirms sustained improvement and detects any early recurrence requiring treatment.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatment Options
OIU (Optical Internal Urethrotomy)
Endoscopic cold knife or laser incision of the urethral stricture under direct vision , day-care, best for short single strictures.
EPA Urethroplasty (Excision & Primary Anastomosis)
Excision of the scarred segment and re-anastomosis , gold standard for short bulbar strictures with >90% success rate.
BMG Urethroplasty (Buccal Mucosa Graft)
Inner cheek mucosa used to augment or replace the diseased urethra , preferred for long, penile, or complex strictures.
Staged Urethroplasty
Two-stage reconstruction for severe pan-urethral or lichen sclerosus strictures , buccal mucosa plate created at stage 1, tubularised at stage 2.
Meatoplasty / Meatotomy
Surgical widening of the urethral meatus for distal or meatal strictures causing urinary obstruction.
Urethral Dilatation
Sequential bougie or balloon dilatation to stretch the stricture , provides temporary relief; not a permanent treatment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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