1. Community
  2. Genito-urinary/Kidney
  3. Urethral Disorders

I have just undergone my first urethrotomy as a day surg...

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I have just undergone my first urethrotomy as a day surgery case at my local NHS hospital. I had the procedure on Monday and I had my Catheter removed on Thursday, its now Friday.

This was a complete shock to me, and came about when I came home from work one evening and went to the toilet and started to pass blood in my urine! I paniced and went to A&E for advise? I was then later referred to a urologist who examined me to check my prostate etc and arrange further tests including X-rays and an ultrasound and a cystoscopy. All along I was being told that they wanted to rule out any "lumps & bumps" that may be present?

The X-Rays and Ultrasound came back all clear, then it was down to the cystoscopy which I was not looking forward to at all.

I am 31yrs and until now have had a clean bill of health and have never had these kind of intimate problems. But I got over it as I needed to know what was wrong.

During the cystoscopy I was very releived to find that a problem had been found. For several years I had noticed that my urine stream was perhaps not what it should be, but because it was such a gradual reduction over years it was never really seen as a problem.

So, 4 days afer surgery, all seems ok. Occassionally have passed a bit of blood? But I am assuming this is normal after this type of procedure. Urine stream is like a fire hose!! I never really appreciated how much my stream was actuall restricted? Fingers crossed that this doesn't re-occur.

I think the worst part of this procedure for me was having the catheter fitted as I suffered with mild pain and discomfort the whole time it was fitted.:lol:

[i:21989e1e9b]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:21989e1e9b]

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • pol86062
    pol86062 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there, I have had a similar procedure done this week. Can you let me know how you have got on? I am nervous about the catheter removal and if it's worked! 
  • m16020
    m16020 Guest

    Posted

    i had 7 of these operations (urethrotomy) over the years the flow tends to wither within months, sometimes weeks. thinking about catheter removal is way worse than the actual removal. there is a slight burn at the end of passing water for the first few times but its nothing compared to what you have most prob been through already rolleyes sadly urethrotomy almost never works sad urethroplasty is anyones best bet and that is stil not 100% but an 80 % chance is better than an almost 0% chance of working long term rolleyes iv had my 8th operation a urethroplasty more pain more discomfort but so far so much more worth it smile no more self dialation smile been four months flow is no longer super but its definately stong and makes me sing a little whoohooo song in my head everytime i pass water smile 
    • ollie64
      ollie64 m16020

      Posted

      Hello, i'm due to have a anastomotic Urethroplasty (probably a cut and shut) soon, I haven't been given a date yet but referral letter should be in the post as they said I'd receive it either today or tomorrow, it should be soon as it's to fix a failed urethrotomy, and iv only been given a small supply of catheter bags and am having to keep the catheter in until imaging tests are organised in which I tend to think they'll put a suprapubic one in like they should of done 4 days ago, 

      I my original urethrotomy was a 12 o clock incision, no catheter left in place, and no self dilation afterwards, these would probably of helped but the urologist felt catheters did more harm than good.

      was given choice of another urethrotomy and then self dilation by another urologist, which would most Likly fail again, or go straight for the plasty, which will be done in either leeds or Sheffield, as york cannot do such a procedure. 

      I was wanting to ask some questions if its ok.

      1) how long were you kept in hospital after the op

      2) how long did you have to keep a catheter in after the op, and how long did recovery take?

      3) how long did the procedure take?

      4) what sort of aftercare were you given?

      And any other relevant info thanks

  • ollie64
    ollie64 Guest

    Posted

    I had a urethrotomy in may 2014. 4 months ago, and my stricture has recurred with a vengeance, was in A n E Thursday after I couldn't pee at all and 3 hours of increasing agony as my bladder bloated up inside, they eventually got a catheter in on a 2nd attempt after breaking through the new stricture ( not the nicest sensation lol)  and they got 1.3 litres out. Stayed over night and urologist doctor in morning said they should of done a suprapubic catheter so they could do all the imaging tests and not disturb the stricture and make it worse. I should of demanded a suprapubic but was in agony and getting contractions every 30 secs ( same pain level as women pre birth, I understand their pain pre birth now lol) 

    I was given choice of urethrotomy again or urethroplasty and I chose the plasty, as it has a far higher cure rate, repeat urethrotomy has almost next to nothing cure rate, is only maintenance so I thought it would be illogical as it'd would most likely fail, and then need a urethroplasty anyway, as agent smith said "it is, inevitable".

    I have been left with a catheter since Thursday evening and have to keep It in until they need to do the imaging tests ( cystoscopy, retrograde urethroplasty, voiding cystourethrogram),  all are impossible with a urethral catheter in but all possible with a suprapubic in, these tests are absolutely 100% no doubt about it needed before any urethral surgery.

    My catheters driving me nuts, it's caused a UTI already which has made the entire tube uber sore, dozens of blood clots coming through and sometimes block the flow.

    I hope yours went all ok and didn't recur

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.