Overview
Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU) is a surgery to repair a narrowed section of the urethra. This is referred to as a stricture. The urethra is the tube through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body.
- A DVIU is an endoscopic procedure. This means a camera is passed through a normal opening in the body (the urethra in this case) without making an incision.
- The stricture is cut open with a knife or a laser to increase the caliber of the urethra.
- Usually a catheter or foley is left in place for 5-7 days.
- It takes at least 48 hrs for the lining of the tube to start to reform after being traumatized or cut. This is why it is advantageous to leave a catheter.
- The success rate of this procedure depends on
- location of stricture
- length of stricture
- thickness of scar
- number of prior procedures
- This procedure is preferred in patients who are too sick to undergo a major reconstructive procedure.
- It can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation.