Stricture urethra
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The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder so it can be expelled from the body. Usually the urethra is wide enough for urine to flow freely through it. When the urethra narrows, it can restrict urinary flow. This is known as a urethral stricture. Urethral stricture is a medical condition that mainly affects men.
Urethral stricture involves constriction of the urethra. This is usually due to tissue inflammation or the presence of scar tissue. Scar tissue can be a result of many factors. Young boys who have had a hypospadias surgery (a procedure to correct an underdeveloped urethra) and men who have penile implants have a higher chance of developing urethral stricture.
A straddle injury is a common type of trauma that can lead to urethral stricture. Examples of straddle injuries include falling on a bicycle bar or getting hit in the area close to the scrotum.
Other possible causes of urethral stricture include:
• pelvic fractures
• catheter insertion
• radiation
• surgery performed on the prostate
• benign prostatic hyperplasia
Rare causes include:
• a tumor located in close proximity to the urethra
• untreated or repetitive urinary tract infections
• the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea or chlamydia
Strictures can be treated by endoscopic procedures (optical internal urethrotomy OIU) or by urethroplasty.
