WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE URETHA?

The urethra is the name for the tube that travels from the bladder through the penis to the outside of your body. Its function is to expel urine and semen. It starts from the lower opening of the bladder and travels the entire length of the penis. The urethra also has a sphincter that remains closed to hold urine within the bladder and relaxes to let urine leave the bladder.

WHAT IS A URETHRAL STRICTURE?

A urethral stricture is the narrowing of a part of the urethra. This can cause a blockage or reduced flow of urine. A urethral stricture can be caused by trauma from injury or accidents where the urethra suffers damage, a previous surgery or procedures involving the urethra.

Symptoms of a urethral stricture can include:   

- Difficulty starting urine flow - Spraying or double streaming urine

- Painful urination - Blood in the urine known as haematuria

- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) - Blood in the semen

- Urinary retention - Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)

- Incomplete bladder emptying - Pelvic pain

- Decreased urine stream - Discharge from the urethra

- Dribbling of urine - Reduced ejaculation force

WHAT IS A URETHROPLASTY?

The Urethroplasty surgery involves the removal of the involved segment of the urethra and then re-attachment of the two ends.
This surgery is best suited for strictures that are short and involve the bulbar or membranous urethra in particular.

When this repair is not possible due to size of the stricture, the tissue can be relocated to enhance and consequently widen the narrow segment to a normal width. The tissue can come from a graft of the buccal mucosa (the skin inside the cheek).

The choice of the repair is individual and influenced by the length and location of the stricture, the availability of local tissue, and other factors.

WHAT IS BUCCAL MUCOSA GRAFT (BMG)?

A Buccal Mucosa graft is transplanted from the inside of the mouth. The tissue within the mouth is compatible with the tissue of the urethra, so it is able to be transferred to support the urethra in this surgery. The mouth heals very well over a 6-week period. Dissolving sutures will disappear with time.