Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure used to repair and reconstruct the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It is used to treat urethral strictures, which are narrowings of the urethra that can cause problems with urination. Here you can read about the types of procedures available, the benefits and risks, and what to expect during recovery.
Types of Urethroplasty Procedures
There are several types of urethroplasty procedures, including:
- Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty: This procedure involves using a graft of tissue from the inside of the cheek (buccal mucosa) to reconstruct the urethra. This is one of the most common types of urethroplasty and is often used for longer strictures.
- Johanson Urethroplasty: This procedure involves using a flap of skin from the penis to reconstruct the urethra. It is often used for shorter strictures and can be performed in a single stage or two stages.
- Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty: This procedure involves using a graft of tissue from the inner lining of the bladder to reconstruct the urethra. It is often used for longer strictures and has a high success rate.
- Ventral Onlay Urethroplasty: This procedure involves using a graft of tissue from the underside of the penis to reconstruct the urethra. It is often used for shorter strictures and has a high success rate.
Benefits of Urethroplasty
The main benefit of urethroplasty is that it can effectively treat urethral strictures, which can cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty with urination. Urethroplasty can also improve the quality of life for patients who have been living with the symptoms of urethral strictures for a long time.
Risks of Urethroplasty
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with urethroplasty, including bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding tissues. In some cases, the procedure may not be successful, and further surgery may be required.
What to Expect During Recovery
After urethroplasty, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days. During this time, they will be closely monitored for any complications. Pain medication may be prescribed to manage discomfort, and a catheter may be placed to help drain urine from the bladder.
Once the patient is discharged from the hospital, they will need to take it easy for a few weeks while their body heals. They may be advised to avoid strenuous activity, sexual activity, and heavy lifting during this time. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor progress and ensure that the urethra is healing properly.
Conclusion
Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat urethral strictures, which can cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty with urination. There are several types of urethroplasty procedures available, each with its own benefits and risks. Recovery from urethroplasty can take several weeks, but most patients are able to resume normal activities after a few months. If you are experiencing symptoms of a urethral stricture, talk to your doctor to see if urethroplasty may be right for you.
