Urethroplasty

[Raj456]

Hi,
I have a urethral stricture of about 4-5 centimeter long.
Doctors suggested me a Urethroplasty where they would replace tissue from my mouth.
Since i have never had any surgery done, i am worried about the risk involved and the success rate (especially in my case as they told me my stricuture is relatively longer).
Any suggestions.
Thanks
Raj

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi Raj,
A urethroplasty is an operation for the repair of an injury or a defect in the walls of the urethra. The method you are pertaining to utilizes tissue transfer or free graft technique. In this method, tissue is grafted from bladder epithelium, or buccal mucosa and is used to enlarge the strictured  segment of the urethra. Urethroplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Risks of Urethroplasty include: recurrence of urethral stricture, infection, fistula,  or even allergic reaction to anesthesia. Usually you meet with your doctors prior to the surgery to discuss the procedure in detail to evaluate all the benefits and risks of the procedure.  The success rate reported for Urethroplasty to treat urethral stricture is 70 - 80%. This link may be helpful: http://www.medsolution.com/surgery_urogen-urethroplasty.asp

Take care and keep us posted.

[Bombo80]

Hi Raj,  I had urethroplasty surgery, on 2006.  I had several strictures, between the bulbous urethra, and the meatus.  I had a two stage surgery to fix the problem.  Unfortunately, since I was circumcised, I had no readily available donor tissue.  They used buccal mucosa tissue, to rebuild my urethra.  The first stage was to remove the damaged tissue, and graft in the buccal tissue, and left these repaired areas splayed open, to heal.  The Dr. also temporarily rerouted the exit point of the urethra, to the area beneath the scrotum.  I had to sit down to urinate, for 6 months.  When the second stage of the surgery was performed, they hooked everything back up, like normal, and rolled the repaired urethral areas around a catheter, and stitched everything back together.  Since I had a stricture at the meatus, that is the only area where I still have any issues.  The exit point is underneath the head of the penis.  During the recovery time, I had a couple stitches pull out in this area, so my exit point is about an inch back from the tip of the penis.  I must say I am happy with most of the results.  Not so happy that those stitches pulled out.  My only major issue now is the lack of sensation in the penis, during sex.  I take Cialis to help maintain an erection, but due to the amount of cutting, and stitching done, I only have sensitivity in 60 - 70% of the penis.  This leads to not always reaching ejaculation.  I just thought I would pass this info along.  Good luck with your procedure.