Urethral Stricture After Phalloplasty

Phalloplasty is a complex procedure, particularly as a gender affirmation surgery. Lengthening the urethra from the native position to the tip of the penis requires extensive reconstruction, and scar tissue can form as a result. This scar tissue, or stricture, may impact urination. Surgical or other treatment may be necessary to correct the urinary stream.

Urethral Stricture (Phalloplasty) Topics

Symptoms

These symptoms are often linked with a narrowing in the urethra.

  • Weakened urine stream
  • Incomplete emptying and/or post-void dribbling
  • Frequency and/or urgency to urinate
  • Difficulty urinating, leakage, or pain while urinating
  • Blood in urine
Diagnosis

If you are experiencing any symptoms of a urethral stricture, please visit the Urology office for further care. Identifying and treating a urethral stricture early-on is preferred.

  • Diagnosis is often completed in the clinic setting and may involve a physical examination, imaging, cystoscopy, and/or passage of a catheter through the urethra.
  • A retrograde urethrogram (RUG) may be conducted before surgical treatment to help determine the length of the urethral stricture.
Treatment
  • The most common region for a urinary stricture following a phalloplasty is at the meatus (opening where urine exits the urethra). Therefore, a meatoplasty may be utilized to widen the opening that has narrowed.
  • As with urethral strictures due to other causes, treatment often involves a procedure called a urethroplasty. This allows removal of the scar tissue and reconnects the two ends of the urethra (anastomotic urethroplasty). Sometimes additional tissue is needed to replace the segment (substitution procedures). Please see the page on Male Urethral Stricture for more information.
What You Should Expect

You will receive a thorough diagnostic evaluation and receive clinically proven treatment by a board-certified urologist who specializes in urethral stricture. Our goal is to alleviate symptoms so you can return to every life. Appointments are confidential and private.

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