Urethral Stricture Disease Treatment in Chattanooga & East Ridge, TN

Urethral stricture disease can interfere with normal urination and lead to uncomfortable or serious urinary complications if left untreated. Dr. Anand Shridharani (Dr. Shrid), a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist with extensive experience treating complex urologic conditions, offers treatments for this condition at his practice in Chattanooga, TN.

Dr. Shrid evaluates each patient carefully to determine the cause and severity of the stricture. He also recommends appropriate solutions to restore urinary function and improve long-term urinary health for patients in Chattanooga and nearby communities.

What is Urethral Stricture Disease?

Urethral stricture disease is a narrowing of the urethra. It causes reduced urine flow and more frequent urination. It can also lead to urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urinary retention, and kidney damage.

Urethral stricture disease affects both men and women, but is more common in men, especially men aged 55 and up. The incidence of urethral stricture is estimated at 6% of the U.S. male population.

What Causes Urethral Stricture?

Any trauma to the perineum or urethra that is significant enough to cause scarring can result in a urethral stricture. Scarring can occur after urologic procedures as well.

Urethral stricture disease can be brought on by sexually transmitted infections that cause urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) and lichen sclerosis (a rare skin disease that typically affects the genitals and anal areas, producing small white spots on the skin and thinning of the skin that results in scarring). Lichen sclerosis may also be referred to as BXO or balanitis xerotica obliterans.

Symptoms of Urethral Stricture Disease

Common signs of urethral stricture disease include:

• Lower urinary tract symptoms like urinary frequency, urgency, poor urine stream, dribbling, incomplete voiding, and blood in the urine
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Urinary retention
• Decreased ejaculation

Diagnosing Urethral Stricture Disease

Your medical history will be evaluated, including an assessment of erectile function. You will receive a physical exam, and a cystoscopy and urethrogram (X-ray dye test) will be used to evaluate the location and length of the strictures. A quick, simple diagnostic screening test called uroflowmetry (uroflow) will be used to evaluate urine flow. Other diagnostic tests include urinalysis and urine cultures.

Urethral Stricture Disease Treatment Options

Generally, treatment is determined by the severity and length of the stricture. Dr. Shridharani offers the following options.

Urethral Dilation

This procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia to widen the urethral narrowing. However, the success of urethral dilation is temporary and of short duration in most men. For men with short, thin strictures, this is still a good option.

Internal Urethrotomy

This option offers a better chance to avoid reforming the stricture. This procedure is performed with endoscopic visualization using a tiny knife to cut out the stricture while you are asleep. However, it is limited to short strictures and may require additional treatment, such as a repeat urethrotomy or urethroplasty. The median time to stricture recurrence is 7-12 months.

Urethroplasty

This is the gold standard treatment for urethral stricture disease. Here, the scar is excised or bypassed, and the urethra is reconstructed with either healthy segments of urethral tissue or a graft of healthy tissue from another part of the body, usually the mouth. You are asleep during this procedure, and an overnight stay in the hospital is routine. The stricture recurrence rate is less than 10%, which makes this procedure the best and most cost-effective treatment option.

Why Choose Dr. Anand Shridharani for Urethral Stricture Disease Treatment in Chattanooga, TN?

Patients choose Dr. Shridharani for treatment of urethral stricture disease because he has the specific knowledge, skills, and attitude required to provide compassionate patient care. A board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist, he is experienced in managing all types of urethral strictures and has excellent success with the most difficult-to-manage cases. Dr. Shridharani is also a member of several prominent professional organizations, including the American Urological Association, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Sexual Medicine Society of North American, the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, and the Society for Male Reproductive and Urology.

FAQs

Is Urethral Stricture Disease Dangerous?

Urethral strictures are not particularly dangerous at first, but if left untreated, they can cause more severe complications. It can potentially result in permanent bladder damage, frequent urinary tract infections, damage to the kidneys, blood in the urine, and cause backflow into the kidneys.

How Long Does Recovery Take After Urethral Stricture Surgery?

Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed and the length or location of the stricture.

• Less invasive procedures like urethral dilation or internal urethrotomy usually involve a shorter recovery period, and many patients return to normal activities within several days.
• Urethroplasty, which is a reconstructive procedure, typically requires a longer healing period. Patients may need a few weeks before resuming strenuous activities.

Dr. Shridharani will provide detailed post-operative instructions and schedule follow-ups to monitor healing and confirm that the urethra is functioning properly.

Will I Need a Catheter After Urethral Stricture Treatment?

Many patients will need a catheter after treatment for urethral stricture disease, but how long it remains in place depends on the procedure performed.

• After dilation or internal urethrotomy, a catheter may be used briefly to help keep the urethra open and allow urine to drain while the area begins to heal.
• Following urethroplasty, the catheter usually stays in place longer—often one to three weeks—to support proper healing of the reconstructed urethra.

During this time, patients receive instructions on catheter care and hygiene. A follow-up test may be performed before removal to confirm that the urethra has healed appropriately.

Can Urethral Strictures Come Back After Treatment?

Yes, urethral strictures can recur after treatment, although the likelihood varies depending on the treatment method and the stricture’s characteristics.

Procedures such as dilation or internal urethrotomy may relieve symptoms, but the narrowing can recur over time because the scar tissue remains. Urethroplasty has a much lower recurrence rate because the scarred segment is removed or reconstructed using healthy tissue.

Even after successful surgery, regular follow-up visits are recommended so your urologist can monitor urinary flow and detect any early signs of recurrence. Prompt evaluation of new urinary symptoms can help address potential problems before they progress.

How Do Doctors Decide Which Urethral Stricture Treatment Is Right for Me?

To determine an appropriate treatment, Dr. Shridharani considers several factors related to the stricture and the patient’s overall health:

• The length and location of the narrowing
• The severity of symptoms
• Whether the stricture has been treated previously

Diagnostic imaging and tests, such as cystoscopy or a urethrogram, help determine the exact characteristics of the stricture. Short, thin strictures may respond well to less invasive treatments like dilation or urethrotomy. Longer or more complex strictures often require urethroplasty.

Is Urethroplasty Considered a Permanent Treatment for Urethral Strictures?

Because the underlying scar tissue is addressed directly, urethroplasty has a much lower recurrence rate than other treatments. In many cases, it provides long-term or lasting relief from symptoms.

However, no procedure can guarantee that a stricture will never return. Factors such as the original cause of the stricture and individual healing patterns may influence long-term outcomes, which is why follow-up care remains important after surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you suspect you have urethral stricture disease, contact Dr. Shridharani today. Call (423) 778-(4636) to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.