Narrowings of the urethra or bladder neck obstruct the flow of urine: the stream becomes weak, urinating takes long, or the bladder does not empty completely. Depending on location and severity, several gentle procedures through the urethra are available.
Optilume
Optilume is a drug-coated balloon catheter. It widens the narrowing in the urethra; the drug is intended to help the narrowing close up again less often.
Urethral dilation (urethrotomy)
In urethrotomy the narrowing is cut under direct vision with the endoscope and thereby widened. A catheter is then needed for a few days.
Treating bladder neck narrowing
If the transition from the bladder into the urethra is narrowed, the bladder neck can be cut or widened through the urethra so that urine flows better again.
Risks
Blood in the urine, urinary tract infections or pain when urinating may occur. Narrowings can come back. We discuss in detail with you which procedure is most suitable after the work-up (for example with cystoscopy).