Bladder Neck Contracture: Treatment Options
About this video
A bladder neck contracture is scar tissue that narrows the outlet of the bladder, most often after treatment for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. Dr. Alex Vanni explains treatment through the urethra, how radiation affects healing, what happens when a contracture keeps returning, how robotic bladder neck reconstruction works, and how to choose the right treatment.
Key points
- Scar tissue narrows the bladder outlet, causing a weak stream or trouble emptying
- Incision with mitomycin C is usually the first step, with about 90% success, sometimes after more than one procedure
- Prior radiation lowers success and makes recurrence more likely
- Traditional open repair usually keeps the channel open, but most men lose urinary control
- Robotic Y-V plasty reconstruction lets most men keep urinary control
- An artificial urinary sphincter can treat leakage later if needed
Chapters
- Introduction
- What It Is
- Treatment Through the Urethra
- The Effect of Radiation
- When It Keeps Returning
- Robotic Reconstruction
- Choosing the Right Treatment
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Talk with Dr. Vanni
Dr. Alex J. Vanni is a fellowship-trained reconstructive urologic surgeon at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, caring for patients from Boston and across New England.
New patients: (781) 744-8762 · Established patients with clinical questions: (781) 744-8420
This video is for general patient education and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Every patient is different; please talk with your care team about your situation. Watch on YouTube.