Cystoscopy for a urethral stricture

A stricture is a narrowed segment of the urethra, often caused by scar tissue. The scope can help the urologist see its location and appearance. If passage is unsafe, the clinician may stop and use other tests or arrange treatment rather than forcing the instrument through.

Urethral narrowing can restrict urine flow. People with a stricture may notice a weaker or spraying stream, straining, prolonged urination, incomplete emptying, repeated urinary infections, or inability to pass urine. These symptoms have several possible causes, so cystoscopy is used as part of an assessment rather than as a conclusion based on symptoms alone.

The examination may show where the channel becomes narrow and whether the bladder can be reached. Other measurements or imaging may be needed to define the length and severity before treatment is chosen. A cystoscopy can also inspect the bladder when the scope passes the narrowed area.

Before cystoscopy, describe changes in your stream, infections, previous catheters or urinary procedures, pelvic injury, and any earlier stricture treatment. Ask whether the appointment is for diagnosis only or whether dilation or an internal incision could be performed. Treatment requires its own discussion of benefits, risks, anaesthesia, and the possibility that narrowing may return.

After an examination or treatment, follow the instructions for fluids, activity, pain relief, catheter care, and follow-up. If a catheter is present, make sure urine is draining into the bag without a kink in the tubing. Do not attempt to remove or reposition it unless you have been specifically trained and instructed.

Inability to urinate with increasing lower abdominal pain or swelling needs emergency assessment because the bladder may be retaining urine. If a catheter stops draining and discomfort builds, check for an obvious tubing kink and seek immediate clinical advice if flow does not resume.

Contact the care team promptly for fever, chills, escalating pain, heavy bleeding, clots, cloudy or foul-smelling urine with illness, or a marked deterioration in urine flow. Mild burning after instrumentation can occur, but symptoms that intensify or fail to settle deserve review.

Ask where the stricture is, how its length will be assessed, and whether it blocked completion of the bladder examination. Discuss the available treatment approaches, expected catheter plan, follow-up method, and which new changes in urine flow should trigger an earlier appointment.