Overview
Urethrotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat urethral strictures, which are narrowings of the urethra that can cause difficulty urinating, urinary retention, or recurrent infections.
South Korea is a leading country for urological procedures, offering high-precision endoscopic urethrotomy, advanced surgical instruments, and expert urologists. Patients benefit from fast recovery, minimal complications, and effective long-term results.
What is Urethrotomy?
Urethrotomy involves incising or cutting the narrowed section of the urethra using a specialized endoscopic instrument called a urethrotome.
Types of urethrotomy:
- ➤ Direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU): Endoscopic incision of the stricture under direct vision
- ➤ Laser urethrotomy: Uses laser energy to precisely cut the stricture, minimizing bleeding and trauma
This procedure is less invasive than open urethral reconstruction and often performed on an outpatient basis.
What are the Benefits?
✔ Minimally invasive with no external incision
✔ Rapid relief of urinary obstruction
✔ Short hospital stay (often outpatient)
✔ Reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery
✔ High success rates with modern techniques in Korea
✔ Precision treatment with laser or endoscopic visualization
Procedure Details:
1) How should I prepare for Urethrotomy?
- ● Preoperative tests: Urinalysis, urine culture, and imaging (retrograde urethrogram or ultrasound)
- ● Medication review: Blood thinners may need to be paused
- ● Fasting: Usually 6–8 hours before surgery
- ● Anesthesia preparation: Local, spinal, or general anesthesia may be used
- ● Korean hospitals: Provide detailed instructions, multilingual guidance, and patient-friendly support
2) What happens during the procedure Urethrotomy?
- ➤ Anesthesia: Patient is sedated or under spinal/general anesthesia
- ➤ Endoscope insertion: A thin urethrotome is inserted into the urethra
- ➤ Incision of stricture: Narrowed tissue is cut to widen the urethral lumen
- ➤ Laser option: Laser energy may be used for precision and minimal bleeding
- ➤ Duration: Usually 20–45 minutes
- ➤ Korean advantage: Hospitals use high-definition endoscopes and laser urethrotomy for safe and precise outcomes
3) What happens after a Urethrotomy?
- ● Recovery: Patient monitored until anesthesia wears off, typically a few hours
- ● Catheter placement: Temporary urinary catheter may be placed for a few days
- ● Pain management: Mild discomfort or burning is treated with medication
- ● Follow-up: Urologist checks urethral healing and may recommend dilatation if needed
- ● Korean hospitals: Provide structured follow-up care and multilingual instructions
Risks / Benefits
✔ Benefits:
- ✦ Minimally invasive and precise
- ✦ Fast relief from urinary obstruction
- ✦ Reduced recovery time and pain
- ✦ Effective for short urethral strictures
⚠ Possible Risks (rare):
- ➔ Infection or urinary tract infection
- ➔ Bleeding or hematuria
- ➔ Recurrence of stricture
- ➔ Urethral perforation (rare)
- ➔ Discomfort from temporary catheter
Recovery and Outlook
- ➤ Immediate recovery: Most patients go home the same day or after a short stay
- ➤ Catheter removal: Usually within 3–7 days depending on stricture and hospital protocol
- ➤ Full recovery: 1–2 weeks, with normal urination restored
- ➤ Recurrence risk: Some strictures may recur; follow-up and occasional repeat urethrotomy may be required
- ➤ Korean advantage: Advanced techniques and expert urologists minimize recurrence and improve long-term outcomes
When To Call the Doctor
Contact your doctor if you notice:
- ⚠ Persistent difficulty urinating
- ⚠ Severe pain or urinary retention
- ⚠ Fever or signs of infection
- ⚠ Heavy bleeding or blood clots in urine
- ⚠ Catheter-related complications
Best Korea Option / Process
South Korea is a top destination for urethrotomy due to:
- 🌟 Expert urologists trained in endoscopic and laser urethrotomy
- 🌟 Minimally invasive outpatient procedures
- 🌟 High success rates and low recurrence
- 🌟 Multilingual support for international patients
- 🌟 Integrated follow-up care with monitoring and dilatation if needed
Top Korean Hospitals for Urethrotomy:
- ✅ Seoul National University Hospital (Urology Dept.)
- ✅ Asan Medical Center
- ✅ Samsung Medical Center
- ✅ Severance Hospital (Yonsei University)
- ✅ Bundang CHA Hospital (Advanced Urology Center)
✅ Quick Highlights Recap
- ➤ Urethrotomy treats urethral strictures via endoscopic or laser incision
- ➤ Minimally invasive, precise, and outpatient-friendly
- ➤ Fast recovery with temporary catheter
- ➤ Rare risks, mostly manageable
- ➤ Korean hospitals provide advanced techniques and expert urologists
