Urethral Stricture Disease

Urethral stricture disease is a condition in which scar tissue narrows the urethra, restricting urinary flow and leading to symptoms that can significantly affect quality of life. While some strictures can be managed temporarily, many require specialized reconstructive surgery for durable, long-term relief.

Dr. Alex J. Vanni is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of urethral stricture disease, with patients referred from across the United States for evaluation and surgical management of complex and recurrent cases.

What Is Urethral Stricture Disease?

A urethral stricture occurs when fibrosis or scarring develops within the urethra, causing narrowing that obstructs urine flow. Strictures may develop due to:

• Prior instrumentation or catheterization
• Trauma to the pelvis or perineum
• Prior prostate or urethral surgery
• Inflammatory conditions such as lichen sclerosus
• Idiopathic (unknown) causes

Left untreated or inadequately treated, strictures often progress or recur, leading to worsening symptoms and repeated procedures.

Symptoms of a Urethral Stricture

Common symptoms include:

• Weak or spraying urinary stream
• Difficulty starting urination
• Urinary frequency or urgency
• Incomplete bladder emptying
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Urinary retention

Patients with long-standing or recurrent symptoms often benefit from evaluation at a high-volume reconstructive urology center.

How Is Urethral Stricture Disease Treated?

Treatment depends on the length, location, cause, and prior treatments of the stricture.

Why See a High-Volume Urethral Reconstruction Specialist?

Outcomes after urethral stricture surgery are highly dependent on surgeon experience and case volume. Surgeons who perform particular procedures frequently tend to have better technical skill, superior outcomes, and fewer complications.

Having performed over 2,000 urethral reconstructions, Dr. Vanni is a high-volume reconstructive urologist who leads one of the nation's busiest practices dedicated to urethral stricture surgery, and the busiest reconstructive urology program in New England. His practice focuses almost exclusively on complex urethral and genitourinary reconstruction, with outcomes that reflect meticulous surgical technique, thoughtful patient selection, and long-term durability.

Patients and referring physicians seek his expertise for:

• Complex or long strictures
• Recurrent disease after failed procedures
• Lichen sclerosus-associated strictures
• Prior radiation or prostate surgery
• Redo urethroplasty

National Referral Center for Urethral Stricture Disease

Patients are referred nationally to Dr. Vanni for expert evaluation and management of urethral stricture disease. He works closely with referring urologists to provide comprehensive consultation, definitive surgical care, and coordinated long-term follow-up.