CYSTOSCOPY WITH INTERNAL URETHROTOMY

You have been diagnosed to have urethral stricture

What is urethral stricture?

Scar tissue in the urethra causing narrowing of the urethra.

What causes urethral stricture?

• Trauma
• Infection

What are the symptoms?

• A decrease in urinary stream
• Spraying or double stream
• Chronic urethral discharge
• Urinary frequency and burning on urination

How it is diagnosed?

• Cystoscopy
• X-rays

What are the treatment options?

• Urethral dilatation
• Internal urethrotomy
• Urethroplasty

We feel that internal urethrotomy will help your symptoms of urethral stricture.

What is internal urethrotomy?

In this procedure, the strictured area in the urethra is incised using a sharp knife.

Before the procedure:

• PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS FOR 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR SEDATIVE PROCEDURE (aspirin, coumadin, plavix, percentine, lovenox or Vitamin E). 
• Procedure is performed in our office under IV sedation
• We will explain the procedure to your and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have regarding procedure.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test.  Read the form carefully and ask any questions if something is not clear.
• You may be asked to remove some clothing and you will be given a gown to wear.
• You will be positioned on the examination table.
• You will be seen and evaluated by our anesthesia staff.
• An intravenous (I.V.) line will be inserted in your arm or hand.
• You will receive an I.V. Sedative or anesthetic, depending upon your specific situation.  Your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and blood oxygen level will be continuously monitored during the procedure.
• After the procedure, once your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and oxygen saturation are stable and you are alert, I.V. line will be removed and you will be sent home in custody of your family members or friends.

Procedure:

Internal Cystoscopy with urethrotomy

After the procedure:

• You will have a Foley catheter in the urethra  during your bladder
• We will teach you how to empty your bladder and take care of Foley catheter
• You may have some bleeding along side of the catheter from your penis – it – is common
• You may have some pain please take pain killers
• Please drink plenty of fluids
• Follow-up visit in one week to remove the catheter
• Please take all antibiotics

Call our office if:

• There is excessive bleeding or pain
•  Unable to drain your bladder

Procedure is very safe with few minor complications

What are the results?

Results of this procedure have our been satisfactory is short-term follow-up in 70-80% patients, but long-term success rates are much lower