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© Copyright 2019. Regrow Biosciences Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Blog
Complications and Challenges in Urethral Stricture Treatment: How to Overcome Them
22nd June 2023
If you're experiencing discomfort or pain while urinating, it could be a sign of urethral stricture. This condition occurs when the urethra narrows or becomes blocked, causing difficulty in passing urine. But don't worry – there are effective treatments available that can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life. In this comprehensive guide to urethral stricture treatment, we'll take you through everything you need to know about this condition and its various treatment options so that you can feel more confident about seeking the right care for yourself. So let's dive in
It is abnormal narrowing of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Urethral strictures can occur anywhere along the length of the urethra but are most common in the area where the urethra joins the bladder (the posterior urethra). Urethral strictures can be caused by injury, surgery, or infection.
- Congenital abnormalities
- Injury to the urethra
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Tumors
- Scar tissue from surgery or other procedures
The symptoms of urethral stricture can vary depending on the location and severity of the blockage. The most common symptom is a gradual decrease in urine stream. Other symptoms can include:
- Urinary urgency
- Inability to empty the bladder completely
- Dribbling after urination
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Kidney damage (in severe cases)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor so that they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment.
When diagnosing urethral stricture, your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical examination of your genitals and urethra. To get a better look at the inside of your urethra, they may use a small camera called a cystoscope.
If your doctor suspects that you have a urethral stricture, they may order one or more of the following tests:
Urine flow test: This test measures how well urine flows from your body. This test measures how well urine flows from your body.
Urethral pressure profilometry: This test measures the pressure in your urethra when you urinate. This test measures the pressure in your urethra when you urinate.
Cystourethroscopy: This is a procedure that uses a small camera to look inside the urethra and bladder. During this procedure, a small sample of tissue may be taken for further testing (biopsy).
After these tests are done, your doctor will be able to tell if you have a urethral stricture and how severe it is.
- Dilation: Dilation is a common treatment for urethral stricture. The procedure involves inserting a dilator, or small rod, into the urethra and gradually widening it. It is usually performed under anesthesia, meaning you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Your doctor will insert a small tube into your urethra and then slowly widen it. The process may cause some discomfort, but it shouldn't be painful.
- Surgery: In more severe cases, surgery may be required to correct the problem. This can involve either cutting out the section of the urethra that is affected or widening the urethra using grafts or other methods.
- Stent placement: A stent is a small tube that is inserted into the urethra to help keep it open. This can be helpful in cases where dilation and surgery are not possible or have not been successful.
One potential therapeutic approach for treating urethral strictures is epithelial cell therapy. Epithelial cells are the cells that line the inner surface of the urethra and play a crucial role in maintaining its structure and function. Epithelial cell therapy aims to restore the normal functioning of the urethra by utilizing these cells.
The therapy involves harvesting healthy epithelial cells from a patient's own body. These cells are then expanded and cultured in the laboratory to obtain a sufficient number of cells for transplantation.
The procedure involves the transplantation of epithelial cells to promote the healing and regeneration of the narrowed urethral tissue. Here is a general overview of the procedure:
1. The urologist assesses the urethral stricture through medical history, physical exam, imaging, and endoscopy to determine its severity and location.
2. Epithelial Cell Harvesting: Epithelial cells are obtained from the patient's body, typically from suitable sources such as buccal mucosa, to minimize the risk of rejection. These cells are subsequently collected, processed, and expanded in a laboratory
3. Cell Expansion: In the laboratory, the collected epithelial cells are cultured and multiplied to obtain a sufficient quantity of cells for transplantation.
4. Urethral Preparation: Prior to the cell transplantation, the patient's urethra needs to be prepared. The urethra is prepared before cell transplantation by using techniques like urethrotomy to create a favorable environment for cell integration and tissue regeneration.
Expanded epithelial cells are transplanted into the stricture site, performed under local anesthesia. They are carefully applied or injected using endoscopy or a specialized catheter.
Following cell therapy, patients receive antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to prevent infection and inflammation. Regular follow-up visits monitor tissue regeneration progress and therapy effectiveness.
The transplanted epithelial cells have the potential to regenerate and repair the damaged tissue in the urethral stricture. They can contribute to the restoration of the normal urethral lining, improving the diameter and flexibility of the urethra, and thus ameliorating the symptoms associated with the stricture.
Epithelial cell therapy shows promise in the treatment of urethral strictures, as it offers the potential for long-lasting and personalized solutions. By using a patient's own cells, the risk of immune rejection or adverse reactions is minimized. Additionally, this approach can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual, taking into account the severity and location of the stricture. Uregrow is India’s 1st Cell Based Therapy to treat Urethral Strictures using patients’ own cells (Autologous) in a natural and biological means.
There are many reasons to choose epithelial cell therapy for the treatment of urethral stricture. This therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective option. Additionally, epithelial cell therapy is less invasive than surgery, and it can be performed on an outpatient basis. This therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as urethral dilation, to maximize the success of the treatment.
This therapy also has a higher success rate than other treatments, such as open surgery. In addition, the tissue formed during epithelial cell therapy is strong and durable, which can help to reduce the risk of recurrence. Finally, this treatment does not involve any long-term hospitalization or extended recovery periods.
Although urethral stricture treatment methods are quite successful, they still include some complications and challenges in some cases like injection and scarring.
All these risks and complications can be avoided by choosing the right treatment and staying positive. Your medical expert will give you the best possible therapy in order to treat your condition and make you able to live your life to the fullest.
After treatment for urethral stricture, it is important to give the body time to heal. Depending on the type of treatment used, recovery times will vary. For example, after internal urethrotomy, patients may experience urinary retention and may need a urinary catheter for a few days. After urethral reconstruction surgery, patients will likely stay in the hospital for several days and will have a urinary catheter in place for up to 12 weeks. It is important to follow your surgeon's instructions during recovery and to avoid any activities that could put stress on the treated area.
1. Drink plenty of fluids. This will help to flush out your system and speed up the healing process.
2. Avoid constipation. This can be a problem after surgery, so make sure to eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids.
3. Avoid strenuous activity. You don't want to put any undue stress on your healing tissues, so take it easy for the first few weeks after surgery.
4. Follow your doctor's instructions. Be sure to take any medications as prescribed and return for follow-up appointments as scheduled.
5. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Urethral strictures can cause discomfort if clothing is too tight, so avoid anything that puts pressure on the area.
6. Keep the area clean and dry. Cleaning with warm water and a block of mild soap can help to prevent infection during recovery.
As always, it's important to consult your doctor to get the best urethral stricture treatment for your medical condition. With the right care and dedication to following through on treatments, REGROW believes many patients can find success in managing their condition.
