The removal of tissues in the urethra for smooth drainage of urine is the purpose of Optical Internal Urethrotomy. The doctor uses an endoscopic device to make an incision in the urethra for creating strictures. After the surgery is over, it is better to avoid lifting heavy objects, driving a car and other strenuous activities for a few weeks.
This is a minimally invasive procedure. The other term for Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy is Optical Urethrotomy. In male patients, it is normally done and involves the use of an endoscopic device and a knife for making incisions in the urethra.
There are many reasons for optical urethrotomy strictures in the urethra. They include:
- Having a history of old injury in the urethra
- Having a history of other infections (urethritis) and gonorrhoea in the urethra
- Having a history of prior urethral surgery
The patient is discharged on the same day as the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Before the Treatment
You should follow the instructions of the best urologist in Kolkata about how to prepare for the surgery. Before the surgical procedure, you may have a physical examination, blood and urine tests, etc. If you are taking any medications, you must tell the doctor about that. Inform your doctor also of your health concerns. As the use of blood thinners can interfere with your surgery and lead to excessive blood loss, you must stop it. You need to take a shower on the night before the surgery. Don’t consume any food or drinks from the past eight hours before the surgery. If the doctor asks you to take any medications on the day of the surgery, take them with small sips of water.
The Procedure
The duration of internal optical urethrotomy is about 30 minutes. You will be taken to the operation theatre after the necessary preparations. According to the instruction of the urologist, you are given general or spinal anaesthesia. The anaesthesia is given with the help of a catheter through an intravenous line.
In your abdomen, the doctors make an incision and insert a special tube called cystoscope through your skin into the urethra. The scope helps your surgeons to find strictures in the urethra. In order to make a smooth passage for the flow of urine, the surgeon inserts a special type of knife through the cystoscope to cut off the scar tissues inside the urethra and widen its space. If the surgery is a laser one, the surgeon can use laser rays to cut off scarring tissues that block the ureter.
Recovery
After a few hours of the operation, you are free to go home. The urology doctors in Kolkata normally give pain relief medications because you can feel some pain after the effect of anaesthesia wears off. You will remain in the recovery room for some time immediately after the surgery. The urology doctor will check whether you are feeling fine and place a catheter in the urethra. The urine will drain out in a separate pouch through the catheter.
