What is a urethral stricture or rupture?
A urethral stricture is a narrowing caused by scar tissue inside the urethra. In children it may follow trauma, catheter injury, or previous surgery such as hypospadias repair. Urethral rupture is an acute tear or major injury to the urethra, often after pelvic fracture or a straddle injury.
Symptoms and warning signs
Stricture can cause weak stream, spraying, straining, incomplete emptying, recurrent urinary infection, or urinary retention. Urethral rupture may cause blood at the urethral opening, inability to urinate, severe pain, perineal swelling, bruising, or a swollen bladder after trauma.
How is it diagnosed?
Evaluation begins with history and examination. Tests may include bladder scan or ultrasound, urinalysis, and imaging of the urethra such as retrograde urethrogram or VCUG. Cystoscopy may be used later to define the location and length of a stricture and plan reconstruction.
Acute treatment
If urethral injury is suspected, especially when blood is seen at the urethral meatus, repeated blind catheter attempts should be avoided. The priority is safe urinary drainage, sometimes with a suprapubic tube, followed by proper imaging and a reconstruction plan.
Definitive treatment
Short strictures may sometimes be managed endoscopically, but longer or recurrent strictures may need urethroplasty. After rupture, treatment depends on the site and severity of injury and may involve catheter drainage, delayed reconstruction, or specialized repair.
Dr. Kallas Chemaly's approach
Dr. Kallas Chemaly treats urethral narrowing and trauma with a reconstructive mindset: define the exact site of injury, protect bladder drainage first, and choose the least traumatic repair that offers durable flow and continence. Families receive clear guidance about urgency, imaging, and the expected recovery pathway.
References
- MSD Manual Professional Edition: Urethral Trauma
- MSD Manual Professional Edition: Urethral Anomalies
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Urethral stricture
Serving families across Beirut and Mount Lebanon
Dr. Kallas Chemaly sees children from Achrafieh, Gemmayzeh, Saifi, Sodeco, Verdun, Hamra, Clemenceau, Ras Beirut, Rabieh, Mtayleb, Brummana, Beit Mery, Bikfaya, Mansourieh, Kornet Chehwan, Antelias, Dbayeh, Jounieh, Kaslik, Hazmieh, Yarze, and across Keserwan, Metn, and Baabda.
Related Conditions
When to seek urgent care
Go to the nearest emergency department if your child has: sudden painful scrotal swelling (possible testicular torsion), inability to urinate for more than 8 hours, blood in the urine with fever or severe pain, high fever (above 38.5°C) with a known urinary abnormality, or trauma to the genitals. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment — request a pediatric urology consultation immediately.