Whether or not you can go to work after urethral stricture dilatation depends on the patient’s recovery. Dilation methods include dilator dilatation, endourethral incision, urethroplasty, etc. Different types of surgery require different recovery times, ranging from a few days or weeks.
Urethral stricture is a pathologically caused reduction in the diameter of the urethral tube, which can lead to an increase in resistance within the urethra, resulting in impaired urination. Urethral strictures are mainly caused by inflammation of the urethra, trauma or medical factors.
1. Dilator dilation: For mild urethral stricture patients can use dilators to dilate the urethra. The doctor will dilate the urethra with a special dilator. After the operation, patients can usually recover well in a few days and can go to work.
2. Urethrotomy: For severe urethral stricture patients can use urethrotomy. The surgeon will cut through the narrowed area of the urethra, remove as much scar tissue as possible, and then place a catheter into the urethra to support it. Patients usually need a few weeks to recover after the operation and are not allowed to go to work straight away.
3. Urethroplasty: For patients with severe urethral strictures who are not well treated with urethral incision, urethroplasty can be used. The doctor will remove the narrowed urethra, and then replace the urethral mucosa with other tissues, such as the bladder, oral mucosa, or artificial materials for connection and repair. After the surgery, patients usually need a few weeks to recover and are not allowed to go to work directly.
Patients should go to a regular hospital and follow the doctor’s instructions in order to avoid delays or adverse reactions.