Urethroplasty

Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat urethral stricture, a condition that occurs when the urethra becomes narrowed due to injury, disease, or infection. This procedure involves reconstructing or replacing the affected section of the urethra, which can help restore normal urinary function.

Types of Urethroplasty

There are several types of urethroplasty procedures, including:

• Anastomotic Urethroplasty: This procedure involves removing the affected section of the urethra and then connecting the healthy ends. This is typically used for short strictures in the posterior urethra.

• Substitution Urethroplasty: In this procedure, a graft or flap of tissue from another part of the body is used to enlarge the narrowed urethra. This is typically used for longer strictures.

• Hypospadias Repair: This is a type of urethroplasty used to correct hypospadias, a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis.

Procedure

The specific steps of a urethroplasty procedure can vary depending on the type of urethroplasty being performed and the specific needs of the patient. However, in general, the procedure involves making an incision in the perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus), exposing the urethra, and then performing the necessary repairs or replacements.

Recovery

Recovery from urethroplasty can take several weeks. During this time, the patient may need to use a catheter to help drain urine from the bladder. Pain and swelling are common after the procedure, but these symptoms can usually be managed with medication.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, urethroplasty carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding tissues. There is also a risk that the stricture could recur, requiring further treatment.

See Also

• Urethra
• Urethral stricture
• Hypospadias
• Catheter