Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue, which leads to obstructive voiding dysfunction with potentially serious consequences for the entire urinary tract. Its prevalence among men in industrial countries is estimated at 0.9%. It produces obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms and can ultimately impair renal function. Urethral strictures can be caused by diagnostic or therapeutic urological procedures.

What Is Uretheral Stricture?

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.

Anatomy: The male urethra is divided into an Anterior and Posterior division. The anterior division consists of the fossa navicularis, pendulous and bulbar urethra. The posterior division consists of the membranous and prostatic urethra. The membranous urethra marks the dividing line between the anterior and posterior urethra. Narrowing of the urethra of the Posterior division is known as Contractures or Stenosis. This has been in part due to the etiology of most posterior urethra injuries that are a consequence of a distraction or obliteration defect such as trauma or radical prostatectomy. Narrowing of the Anterior division of the urethra are referred to as Strictures.

Anterior Urethral Stricture

Anterior urethral strictures happen in last 9" to 10" of the urethra. This kind of stricture is caused by trauma from a straddle injury (from falls onto objects where the legs are on either side), direct trauma to the penis, catheterization.

Posterior Urethral Stricture

Posterior urethral strictures happen in the first 1" to 2" of the urethra. This kind of stricture is due to an injury linked to a pelvic fracture (e.g., motor vehicle or industrial accident). In these cases, the urethra is disrupted, or completely cut and separated. Urine cannot pass. A catheter must be placed either through the abdomen into the bladder (suprapubic tube), or through the penis into the bladder. This lets urine drain until the stricture can be fixed

How Urethral Strictures Affect Your Life?

If left untreated, urethral strictures can lead to kidney stones, infections, and urinary tract complications. Urethral strictures are rarely seen in women. Men have longer urethras and urine has to travel farther. This leads to higher chances of urethral disease. The majority of men with a stricture have voiding and storage symptoms; many experiences hematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections due to postvoid residue. More severe complications may include urinary problem, acute urinary retention, urethral carcinoma, renal failure, bladder diverticulum, urinary tract infections. Many men with a stricture will have increasing discomfort with urinating and a slowing of the urinary stream. This can develop gradually and lead to pushing or straining to get urine out.

Urethral Strictures Treatment

Dilation – enlarging the stricture with gradual stretching

Urethrotomy – cutting the stricture with a laser or knife through a scope

Open Surgery – surgical removal of the stricture with reconnection and reconstruction, possibly with grafts (urethroplasty)

Conclusion

Urethral stricture is frequently a morbid condition. Patients with longer strictures, posterior stenoses, absence of preceding lower urinary tract symptoms and traumatic strictures are at highest risk for complications related to urethral stricture and should likely be directed toward more definitive treatment.

How Regrow Help You?

Regrow Biosciences helps in Uretheral Strictures Treatment efficiently as they essentially focus on regeneration within the body i.e., it allows our bodies to renew and regrow itself and helps in eradicating Urinary problem associated with it.

They use the permanent cure of Urethral Stricture with UREGROW® Epithelial Cell Therapy

UREGROW® Epithelial Cell Therapy consists of using the patients' own cells (autologous) as a therapeutic tool to cure Urethral Stricture.

Once the epithelial cells are implanted, an epithelialization layer of new tissue is regenerated at the stricture site, relieving patient symptoms.