Urethral or Pelvic Trauma
Straddle injuries, pelvic fractures and other trauma can damage the urethra and lead to scar formation.
Urethral Stricture Patient Guide
Urethral Stricture
Treatment in Delhi
Understand urethral stricture from diagnosis to treatment. Explore symptoms, RGU/MCU testing, OIU, urethroplasty, recurrent strictures, recovery and sexual-health concerns through doctor-led guides and videos.
Patient Education Hub
Diagnosis · Treatment · Recovery
Doctor-Led Urethral Stricture Resource
Learn about OIU, RGU/MCU, urethroplasty, complex strictures and recovery.
Narrowing of the Urethra
Scar tissue can reduce the urinary passage and affect urine flow.
Understanding the Condition
What Is a Urethral Stricture?
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue. When the passage becomes narrow, urine may not flow normally and a person may experience a weak stream, straining, incomplete emptying or urinary blockage.
The condition may occur after trauma, infection, previous instrumentation or other urethral injury. The location, length and severity of the narrowing help determine which diagnostic tests and treatment options may be considered.
Evaluation may include tests such as RGU/MCU and uroflowmetry to understand the location and severity of the narrowing before treatment planning.
Weak Urine Stream
Reduced or slow urinary flow.
Straining to Urinate
Extra effort may be needed to pass urine.
Narrowing / Blockage
Scar tissue may obstruct the urinary passage.
Incomplete Emptying
The bladder may not feel completely empty.
Causes & Risk Factors
What Can Cause a Urethral Stricture?
Urethral narrowing may develop after injury, infection, medical instrumentation or other damage to the urethra. The underlying cause can be important when evaluating the location and extent of the stricture.
Infection
Certain urethral infections, including historically gonorrheal infections, may contribute to inflammation and subsequent narrowing.
Catheter or Instrumentation
Previous catheterisation or procedures involving instruments inside the urinary passage may sometimes injure the urethra.
Stone Passage or Injury
Passage of urinary stones or associated instrumentation may cause injury and later scar-related narrowing.
Previous Urethral Procedures
A history of urethral procedures or repeated treatment may be relevant when evaluating recurrent or complex strictures.
Other or Unclear Causes
In some patients, the exact trigger may not be obvious and diagnosis focuses on the location, length and severity of the scarred segment.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
How Is a Urethral Stricture Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is used to identify whether narrowing is present and to understand its location and severity. The evaluation may combine symptoms and medical history with urine-flow testing, imaging and direct examination of the urethra.
Why accurate mapping matters
Tests such as RGU and MCU help show the site and severity of the narrowing, which supports treatment planning.
Measure urine flow
Locate the narrowing
Assess stricture severity
Plan treatment approach
01
Medical History & Examination
Symptoms, previous infections, injuries and prior urinary procedures are reviewed to understand possible causes and guide further testing.
02
Uroflowmetry
Measures the rate of urine flow and can help identify obstruction or reduced urinary flow caused by narrowing.
03
Cystoscopy
A small flexible camera is passed through the urethra so the narrowed area can be viewed directly.
04
Urethral Ultrasound
Ultrasound may help assess scar tissue and the extent of narrowing within the urethral passage.
RGU & MCU Imaging
Retrograde Urethrogram (RGU) and Micturating Cystourethrogram (MCU) are contrast X-ray studies used to show the urethra and help determine the exact location and severity of the stricture.
Treatment Pathways
Treatment Is Chosen Around the Stricture Itself
There is no single procedure used for every urethral stricture. Treatment planning depends on the length and location of the narrowing, whether it is a first-time or recurrent stricture, previous procedures, and the overall anatomy seen on evaluation.
Endoscopic
OIU / VIU
Endoscopic treatment for selected short strictures
Optical or Visual Internal Urethrotomy opens the narrowed area from inside the urethra. The scar is incised under direct vision using a cold knife or laser.
Minimally invasive approach
Catheter usually for a few days
Recurrence can occur
Commonly considered when
The stricture is short, relatively soft and suitable for endoscopic management.
Reconstruction
Urethroplasty
Reconstructive repair for longer or recurrent narrowing
Urethroplasty repairs or rebuilds the narrowed urethra. Depending on the anatomy, surgery may involve reconnecting healthy urethral ends or widening the narrowed segment using graft tissue.
Reconstructive approach
Technique varies by stricture
Often considered after recurrence
Commonly considered when
The stricture is longer, more complex, or has returned after previous treatment.
Tissue Graft
BMG Repair
Graft-based reconstruction when additional tissue is needed
Buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty uses tissue from the inner cheek to widen or reconstruct a narrowed segment of the urethra.
Inner-cheek tissue may be used
Used in selected longer strictures
Part of reconstructive urethroplasty
Commonly considered when
The narrowed segment requires widening or reconstruction using additional tissue.
Complex Reconstruction
Progressive Perineal Urethroplasty for Pelvic-Fracture Injuries
Pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects may require a more specialized reconstructive approach. The urethra is assessed with imaging such as RGU and MCU, and reconstruction is planned after the pelvic injury has healed sufficiently.
Treatment planning may consider
Injury pattern, urethral gap, imaging findings and previous procedures
Understanding the Difference
OIU vs Urethroplasty: What Changes?
OIU and urethroplasty are different approaches to urethral stricture treatment. The choice depends on factors such as the length and location of the narrowing, previous treatments and whether the stricture has returned.
Endoscopic Treatment
OIU / VIU
Scar tissue is opened from inside the urethra.
Reconstructive Treatment
Urethroplasty
The narrowed segment is surgically repaired or reconstructed.
Treatment approach
Endoscopic incision of the scar under direct vision using a
cold knife or laser.
Reconstructive surgery that may involve direct repair,
reconnection or graft-based widening.
Often considered for
Selected short and relatively soft strictures.
Longer, recurrent or more complex strictures depending on anatomy.
Incision / access
Performed through the urinary passage using an endoscope.
Requires reconstructive surgical access to the affected urethral segment.
Catheter
Usually kept for a few days depending on the procedure and clinical plan.
Catheter duration is generally longer and depends on the type of reconstruction.
Early recovery
Light activity may resume relatively quickly in suitable cases.
Recovery is longer because it is a reconstructive surgical procedure.
If narrowing returns
Recurrence can occur; repeated narrowing may lead to consideration
of reconstruction.
Technique and further management depend on the reconstructed segment,
anatomy and follow-up findings.
Treatment Cost in Delhi
Urethral Stricture Treatment Cost
The cost of urethral stricture treatment depends on the tests required, the type of procedure selected and how complex the narrowing is. Diagnostic evaluation is usually completed before deciding whether endoscopic treatment or reconstructive surgery is appropriate.
Diagnosis
RGU / MCU
Contrast X-ray studies used to map the urethra and assess
the location and severity of the narrowing.
Approx. Cost
₹5,000
per test
Endoscopic
OIU / VIU
Endoscopic treatment for selected short strictures.
Cost may vary depending on cold-knife or laser technique
and the hospital category.
Approx. Range
₹25K–₹70K
depending on procedure
Reconstruction
Urethroplasty
Reconstructive surgery used for selected longer, recurrent
or more complex strictures. The final cost depends on the
technique and complexity of reconstruction.
Approx. Range
₹1.2L–₹2.5L
depending on complexity
What affects the final treatment cost?
The final package can change based on the diagnosis and type of treatment required.
Stricture length & location
Diagnostic tests required
OIU vs reconstruction
Cold knife or laser
Surgical complexity
Hospital category
International Patients
Around USD 3,000
The main website mentions an example urethroplasty package around USD 3,000 for international patients.
Watch & Learn
Urethral Stricture Video Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Urethral Stricture FAQs
Common patient questions about symptoms, diagnosis, OIU, urethroplasty, recurrence, recovery, catheter and treatment cost.
Common symptoms include weak or slow urine flow,
straining to urinate, painful urination, incomplete bladder
emptying, dribbling and recurrent urinary infections.
Severe narrowing may cause urinary retention.
Causes may include urethral or pelvic trauma,
catheterisation, endoscopic procedures, infection or
inflammation. Lichen sclerosus can also cause narrowing,
while some cases have no clearly identified cause.
Evaluation may include RGU, MCU, uroflowmetry,
cystoscopy and urethral ultrasound. These tests help
assess the location and severity of the narrowing.
OIU or VIU is an endoscopic treatment in
which the scarred narrowing is opened under direct vision,
using a cold knife or laser. It may be considered for selected
short and relatively soft strictures.
Yes. Recurrence can occur after OIU/VIU.
Repeated narrowing may lead to further evaluation for a
reconstructive procedure such as urethroplasty.
Urethroplasty is generally considered for
longer, recurrent or complex strictures.
The narrowed urethra is repaired or reconstructed, sometimes
using graft tissue from the inner cheek.
Many patients may resume light activity in around
7–10 days after OIU/VIU, depending on the procedure,
recovery and treating surgeon's advice.
The catheter after urethroplasty may commonly remain for around
2–3 weeks. The exact duration can vary with
the type of reconstruction and follow-up findings.
The existing treatment page lists approximately
₹25,000–₹70,000 for OIU/VIU and
₹1.2 lakh–₹2.5 lakh for urethroplasty,
depending on procedure type and complexity.
Significant narrowing can cause worsening urinary obstruction,
infections and bladder strain. In severe cases,
complete urinary retention may occur and
requires medical attention.
RGU and MCU are commonly used to understand the
site and severity of the stricture before
treatment planning. The exact tests required depend on the
individual case.
Pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects may require a
specialized reconstruction called
Progressive Perineal Urethroplasty.
Imaging such as RGU/MCU may be used for surgical planning.
Need a Clinical Evaluation?
Get Your Urethral Stricture Case Reviewed
If you have weak urine flow, recurrent narrowing, previous OIU failure, or have been advised urethroplasty, you can book a consultation or share your reports for review.
Clinic Location
Govinda Healthcare, Karol Bagh, New Delhi
Visit our urology centre for urethral stricture consultation, diagnosis review and personalised treatment planning.
Clinic Address
27B/4, New Rohtak Road,
Karol Bagh, Opposite Sarai Rohilla Station,
New Delhi – 110005
Karol Bagh, Opposite Sarai Rohilla Station,
New Delhi – 110005