Urethral Stricture
Optilume Drug-Coated Balloon for Urethral Stricture: who is a candidate?
What is the short answer?
Optilume may fit men with a short urethral stricture, often one that came back after a prior dilation or cut.
A balloon coated with medicine stretches the scar and releases the medicine to help keep it open.
What else should I know?
It's done through the urethra, usually as an outpatient.
Long or complex strictures may need urethroplasty.
When should I make an appointment?
If your stricture keeps returning, ask whether Optilume fits you.
What happens at a visit?
Our two Gwinnett offices each include a surgery center: Snellville at 1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078 and Lawrenceville at 501 Crown Pointe Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Let us know which part of the county you call home, and we’ll take it from there.
How do our urologists approach this?
A narrowed urethra can keep coming back after stretching or cutting, and that can be very frustrating. Our Gwinnett urologists measure how long the stricture is and where it sits, and review what’s been tried before. Then we explain whether Optilume, urethroplasty or another approach makes the most sense. We’ll be honest about the tradeoffs of each one.
What happens at a visit?
We’ll ask about your stream, any past procedures and urinary infections. We may measure your flow, scan the bladder once you’ve emptied, and image or scope the urethra. Bring records from earlier treatment if you have them.
How should I prepare?
Bring records of earlier stricture treatments and your medicine list. Note how your stream has changed recently and whether you strain to urinate.
When should I call?
Call us if your stream is slowing again or you’re straining to urinate. When no urine comes at all, go straight to an emergency room.
What do patients often ask?
These are the questions we hear most, each with a short answer.
Is Optilume done in the hospital?
It’s done through the urethra, usually as an outpatient procedure.
What if my stricture is long?
Long or complex strictures may be better treated with urethroplasty, a reconstruction of the urethra. We’ll explain why if that’s our recommendation.
What should I read next?
Educational content; your own care plan comes from a visit. Back to the reading room