Description

Female urethral stricture is characterized by the narrowing of the urethra in women, leading to abnormal tightness or obstruction of the tube responsible for transporting urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. This condition can give rise to various symptoms, including difficulty urinating, a weak urine stream, frequent urinary tract infections, and urinary retention. The management of female urethral stricture has historically posed challenges, with dilation or direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) commonly attempted. However, these methods often result in low success rates. Urethroplasty, a reconstructive surgical procedure, is considered an optimal management option for recurrent strictures. In urethroplasty for female urethral stricture, a small piece of buccal graft (oral mucosal tissue from the inside of the cheek) is harvested and employed to augment the urethra, facilitating widening and reinforcement. The surgery typically lasts about one hour, and a catheter is placed per urethra for 3 to 4 weeks to aid in the healing process. While urinary incontinence is a potential concern following urethroplasty, careful patient selection and precise surgical techniques have minimized this complication. The reported success rate of urethroplasty for female urethral stricture is approximately 80%, establishing it as an effective option for addressing this challenging condition. Individualized treatment plans and comprehensive discussions with urologists are imperative to determine the most appropriate approach based on the specific characteristics of the stricture and the overall health of the patient.

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