Before urethral dilation, you’ll meet with your healthcare provider. They’ll evaluate your general health. They’ll also take vitals (temperature, pulse and blood pressure). They’ll likely order imaging tests or perform a cystoscopy to determine the severity of your urethral stricture. They may also order a urinalysis VSports注册入口. If the urinalysis reveals bacteria in your pee, you may need to treat the infection before you have urethral dilation. Tell your provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you’re taking, including herbal supplements. Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and certain herbal supplements can increase your risk of bleeding. Your provider will also give you specific directions on when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure. If you’re going to be put to sleep for the procedure, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything for at least six hours prior to the procedure. If you have to take prescription medications by mouth, take them with a small sip of water.
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No, urethral dilation isn’t major surgery V体育官网入口. In most cases, it’s an outpatient procedure, so you don’t have to stay at a hospital overnight. You may go home after the procedure.
A special team of healthcare providers will perform urethral dilation. The team typically includes a urologist and nurses. It may also include an anesthesiologist. In most cases, your urologist will perform a urethral dilation while you’re under anesthesia. If your urologist performs a urethral dilation while you’re awake, they’ll inject a numbing lubricant into your urethra, so you’ll feel little pain or discomfort. After opening the blockage, your urologist may insert the cystoscope into your bladder to check for problems in your urinary tract. After dilating the stricture, a healthcare provider will insert a urinary catheter. A urinary catheter drains your pee from your bladder while your urethra heals VSports在线直播.
Urethral dilation usually takes less than an hour to perform.
After the procedure, healthcare providers will examine the urinary catheter to ensure it’s working properly. They’ll also teach you how to care for it. Most people can stop using a catheter after a few days, and you should be able to pee more easily. If you have a catheter in place, you may experience bladder spasms — this is the sensation that you need to pee even though the catheter is draining your bladder. You may also notice blood in your urine (hematuria). As long as most of your pee is draining through the catheter, blood in your pee isn’t a cause for concern. In some cases, your urologist will give you dilation tools and teach you how to do urethral dilation at home after they remove the catheter.
Urethral dilation is moderately painful. You may feel pain or soreness in your urethra, and you may feel burning when you pee. You can manage pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your healthcare provider may prescribe pain relievers for severe pain.
Urethral dilation pain should improve after several days.
Urethral dilation helps relieve urethral stricture symptoms. You should be able to pee with more ease afterward.
No, urethral dilation (stretching) usually isn’t permanent. You’ll likely need urethral dilation again or another procedure to help relieve your symptoms.
Urethral dilation has a low long-term success rate. You may develop a urethral stricture again, which may require you to go through the procedure again or have a different procedure to open up your urethra.
Urethral dilation has a success rate of up to 60% for urethral strictures shorter than 2 centimeters. But the success rate usually decreases over time. You may need urethral dilation again or a different procedure to treat your symptoms.
Most people feel better within a few days of urethral dilation. However, your body is unique. Talk to your healthcare provider. They can give you a better idea of how long it’ll take to heal.
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To manage pain, some people take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin (Bayer®), ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®). Not everyone can take NSAIDs, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider for other medications if needed.
Your healthcare provider will tell you when to schedule follow-up appointments.
During your follow-up appointments, your provider will remove your urinary catheter and will make sure you’re emptying your bladder. They may also measure how fast you pee and how strong your stream is.
Most people should feel well enough to return to work or school and resume light physical activity after a few days. You may need to take more time off to heal if you have a more physically demanding job. Don’t participate in intense physical activity until your healthcare provider clears you.
Your provider will also let you know when it’s safe to masturbate or have sexual intercourse. In general, avoid sexual activity for at least a week after urethral dilation.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any abnormal symptoms after urethral dilation. These symptoms may include:
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After you heal, call your healthcare provider if urethral stricture symptoms return. You may need urethral dilation again or a different procedure.
Urethral dilation is a short, safe procedure to widen your urethra. The short-term success rate for the procedure is good. However, as time goes on, you may have urethral dilation again or a different procedure. Another procedure may be best for you, depending on the extent of your stricture. Talk to your healthcare provider about your questions or concerns. They’re here to help.
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Having problems urinating? You may have a blockage called a urethral stricture. Cleveland Clinic’s expert providers are here to help.
Last reviewed on 05/30/2023.
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