Frequently Asked Questions About Urethral Stricture Treatment

A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue. This narrowing restricts urine flow and can cause symptoms such as weak stream, difficulty urinating, frequent urinary tract infections, and incomplete bladder emptying.

Common causes include prior urethral trauma or injury, inflammatory conditions like lichen sclerosus, previous urethral surgery or instrumentation, urethral infections, and complications from prostate surgery or radiation therapy. Some strictures occur without any identifiable cause.

Most urethroplasty procedures take 1-3 hours depending on the complexity, location, and length of the stricture. More complex reconstructions involving tissue grafts or staged procedures may take longer.

Dr. Vanni has a 95% success rate for the majority of urethral strictures.

Patients may return to full activity once their catheter has been removed, which is typically in 1-3 weeks.

Yes, a urinary catheter is required after urethroplasty to allow the repair to heal without urine passing through the surgical site. The catheter typically remains in place for 1-3 weeks, though this varies based on the specific procedure performed.

Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort after surgery. Pain is well controlled with ibuprofen and Tylenol. The majority of patients report that post-operative pain is less than anticipated and decreases significantly within the first week.

While urethroplasty has high long-term success rates, strictures can recur in some cases. Recurrence rates depend on stricture location, length, and cause. Dr. Vanni's success rates exceed national averages, and he has extensive experience managing recurrent strictures when they occur.