Urethral Dilation

What is Urethral Dilation

Urethral dilation is a procedure to stretch open (dilate) the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. In women, the urethra opens above the vaginal opening. In men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis. Urethral dilation is usually done to treat narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture), which can make it difficult to pass urine. Urethral dilation widens the urethra so that you can pass urine normally.

Urethral dilation is done through the urethral opening. There are no incisions made during the procedure.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to the urethra, which may require reconstructive surgery.
  • A return of urethral stricture, which requires repeating the dilation procedure.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
  • Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
  • If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone stay with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To reduce your risk of infection:
    • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
    • Your genital area will be washed with soap.
  • An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You will be given one or more of the following:
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
    • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
    • A medicine that is injected into your spine to numb the area below and slightly above the injection site (spinal anesthetic).
  • Gel will be applied to numb and lubricate your urethral opening.
  • A thin tube with a light and camera on the end (cystoscope) will be inserted into your urethra.
  • Your urethra will be rinsed (irrigated) with a germ-free (sterile) water solution.
  • Narrow parts of your urethra will be stretched open using dilator rods (sounds). Your surgeon will start with very thin sounds, then use wider sounds as needed.
  • A thin tube with an inflatable balloon on the tip may be inserted into your urethra. The balloon may be inflated to help stretch your urethra open.
  • Your urethra will be irrigated.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • You will be given medicine to control pain.
  • You may be taught to use a small, lubricated tube (catheter) at home to help keep your urethra open.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Urethral Dilation, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • Burning pain when urinating.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • A need to urinate frequently.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Driving

  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during your procedure.

General instructions

  • If you were sent home with a catheter, follow your health care provider’s instructions about how and when to use it.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your urine is cloudy and smells bad.
  • You develop new bleeding when you urinate.
  • You pass blood clots when you urinate.
  • You have pain that does not get better with medicine.

Get help right away if:

  • You develop new bleeding that does not stop.
  • You cannot pass urine.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have swelling, bruising, or discoloration of your genital area. This includes the penis, scrotum, and inner thighs for men, and the outer genital organs (vulva) and inner thighs for women.
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