Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

Urethral stricture surgery aims to fix a narrowed urethra due to scar tissue. While it works well, complications can happen in the short and long term. It’s important for those thinking about this surgery to know about these possible issues.

Recent studies show that about 7.9% of patients face big problems within 90 days after urethroplasty surgery. We’ll look at the common side effects and complications of urethral stricture surgery. This will help you understand the risks and how to deal with them.

Key Takeaways

• Urethral stricture surgery can cause both short- and long-term side effects.
• The complication rate varies depending on the surgical technique and patient health.
• About 7.9% of patients experience significant complications within 90 days.
• Understanding possible complications is key for making informed choices.
• Managing risks well is vital for the best results.

Understanding Urethral Stricture and Urethroplasty

It’s important for patients with urinary issues to know about urethral stricture and its treatments. This condition narrows the urethra due to scar tissue. It can cause a lot of discomfort and problems if not treated.

What is a Urethral Stricture?

A urethral stricture happens when scar tissue blocks the urethra. This makes it hard for urine to flow. It’s more common in men and can be caused by injury, infection, or inflammation. Symptoms include weak urine flow and trouble starting to urinate.

Common Surgical Approaches for Treatment

Urethroplasty is the main treatment for urethral stricture. It involves different techniques, like anastomotic urethroplasty and substitution urethroplasty. The right method depends on the stricture’s location and the patient’s health.

Success Rates and General Outcomes

Urethroplasty works well for most patients, greatly improving their symptoms. The success rate depends on the surgery and the patient’s health. Most people see a big improvement in their quality of life.

Wound Complications (3.5%)

Like any surgery, urethroplasty can have risks. About 3.5% of patients face wound complications. These can include infections and fistulas. Good care after surgery helps avoid these problems.

Long-Term Complications of Urethroplasty

Urethroplasty is a common treatment for urethral stricture. But it’s important to know about the possible long-term problems. These issues can affect a patient’s health and quality of life.

Recurrence of Stricture

One major issue is when the structure comes back. Research shows that this can happen in up to 48% of cases after surgery. The main reason is the growth of scar tissue in the urethra.

Urethrocutaneous Fistula Formation

Another problem is the creation of urethrocutaneous fistulas. This is when an abnormal connection forms between the urethra and the skin. It can cause urine to leak. About 18% of patients may face issues like erectile dysfunction and fistula.

Persistent Changes in Urinary Function

Changes in how you urinate can also happen. These changes might include different flow rates, more frequent urination, or urgency. It’s important to know about these changes to manage expectations.

Cosmetic and Psychological Impacts

The surgery can also affect how you look and feel. Some patients might notice changes in their genital area or feel anxious about their urinary function. These effects are important to consider for full care, including the mental impact of uti surgery and other treatments.

Knowing about these long-term issues helps doctors support patients better. It helps patients make informed choices and prepares them for what might happen after urethral stricture surgery.

Risk Factors That Increase Complication Rates

Urethroplasty, like any surgery, has its own risks. Knowing these risks helps manage patient hopes and improve care after surgery. We look at key factors that can make recovery harder. This helps doctors prepare and reduce possible problems.

Prior Urethroplasty Procedures

Patients who have had urethroplasty surgery before might face more complications. Scar tissue from earlier surgeries can make things harder. We look at a patient’s history when we talk about urethroplasty risks.

Preoperative Bacteriuria

Having bacteria in the urine before surgery, called preoperative bacteriuria, raises infection risks. We stress the need for urine tests before urethroplasty to catch and treat infections.

Patient Comorbidities and Health Status

Patients with health issues or comorbidities might face more risks. Things like diabetes, smoking, and overall health affect healing after surgery. We think about these when deciding if a patient is right for urethral stricture surgery.

Variation in Complication Rates by Surgical Technique

Urethroplasty techniques vary, and so do their risks. The choice of technique depends on the stricture’s location and severity. We talk about these options with patients to help them make informed choices.

Conclusion

Urethral stricture surgery, like urethroplasty, is complex and needs careful thought. We’ve talked about the side effects of urethra surgery. This includes long-term problems and factors that raise the risk.

At Liv Hospital, we focus on innovative, ethical care to lower risks and boost patient success. Experienced care is key to the best results for those getting urethral reconstruction.

Knowing the risks and benefits of urethroplasty helps patients make smart choices. We aim to offer top-notch healthcare and support. This helps patients deal with the challenges of urethra stricture treatment.

FAQ

References

1. Benson, C. R., et al. (2021). Long-term outcomes of one-stage augmentation anterior urethroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Brazilian Journal of Urology, 47(2), 213-222. https://www.scielo.br/j/ibju/a/pRz6Jkwjvqc9FM49SFLXLnQ/?lang=en