Urethrotome

Urethrotome

PRIMARY CLINICAL & DIAGNOSTIC USES

1. Internal Urethrotomy for Urethral Strictures

• Primary Use: Provides a surgical instrument for internal urethrotomy, the minimally invasive treatment for urethral strictures. The urethrotome combines a visualizing telescope with a cutting knife or laser fiber to incise urethral strictures under direct vision, restoring urethral patency without open surgery.

• How it helps: For the urologist, the urethrotome enables precise incision of urethral strictures through the natural urethral meatus—eliminating the need for open urethroplasty in selected patients, reducing hospital stay, and allowing rapid return to normal activities. For the patient with a urethral stricture causing voiding difficulty, internal urethrotomy offers relief with minimal morbidity.

2. Direct Visualization of Urethral Strictures

• Primary Use: The urethrotome provides direct endoscopic visualization of the urethra to accurately identify the location, length, and severity of strictures before incision. The telescope allows precise placement of the cutting knife at the stricture site.

• How it helps: For the urologist, direct visualization ensures accurate identification of the stricture and precise incision placement—minimizing the risk of false passage formation and optimizing outcomes. For the patient, precise treatment increases the success rate and reduces the risk of recurrence.

3. Cold Knife Urethrotomy

• Primary Use: Uses a cold knife (non-electrosurgical) blade for precise incision of strictures without thermal injury. The cold knife technique preserves the blood supply to the urethral mucosa, potentially improving healing and reducing recurrence.

• How it helps: For the urologist, cold knife urethrotomy provides a precise, bloodless incision with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissues—optimizing conditions for healing. For the patient, this technique offers a balance of efficacy and safety for carefully selected strictures.

4. Laser Urethrotomy

• Primary Use: Uses laser energy (holmium or other) for incision of urethral strictures. Laser urethrotomy offers precise cutting with excellent hemostasis and minimal thermal spread.

• How it helps: For the urologist, laser urethrotomy provides excellent visualization and hemostasis—allowing precise incision even in vascular strictures. For the patient, laser treatment offers a minimally invasive option with rapid recovery.

5. Combined Visual and Cutting Instrument

• Primary Use: The urethrotome integrates a visualizing telescope and cutting knife in a single instrument, allowing the surgeon to view the stricture while simultaneously incising it. This ensures accurate incision placement and minimizes the risk of complications.

• How it helps: For the urologist, the integrated design allows precise, controlled incision under direct vision—reducing the risk of false passage, urethral perforation, and other complications. For the patient, this precision translates to safer treatment and better outcomes.

SECONDARY & SUPPORTIVE USES

1. Urethral Dilation: Some urethrotomes include dilation capabilities for combined incision and dilation procedures.

2. Bladder Neck Incision: Used for incision of bladder neck contractures following prostate surgery.

3. Urethral Stent Placement: Guiding placement of temporary or permanent urethral stents.

4. Urethral Biopsy: Biopsy of suspicious urethral lesions under direct vision.

5. Combined Procedures: Performed with cystoscopy for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

6. Pediatric Urethrotomy: Smaller instruments for pediatric urethral strictures