DistantNews
Support us
Urethral Strictures Narrowing Urine Flow: Urethral Stent Eases Repeated Treatment Burden
🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Urethral Strictures Narrowing Urine Flow: Urethral Stent Eases Repeated Treatment Burden

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new urethral stent, UVENTA™, offers a treatment option for urethral strictures, a condition causing weakened urine flow.
  • Urethral strictures, distinct from enlarged prostates, result from scar tissue narrowing the urethra and can stem from medical procedures, trauma, or infection.
  • The UVENTA™ stent supports the urethra during healing, potentially reducing the need for repeated endoscopic treatments or major reconstructive surgery.

Many men experiencing weakened urine flow and longer urination times immediately consider an enlarged prostate. However, symptoms like split urine streams, difficulty urinating, residual urine, recurrent urinary tract infections, or sudden urinary retention could indicate a urethral stricture.

Urethral strictures can be mistaken for simple aging, but if left untreated, they can lead to decreased bladder function, urinary retention, and infection.

— Yoon Chul-yongDirector of Kan Urology Clinic, explaining the potential consequences of untreated urethral strictures.

Unlike an enlarged prostate, which compresses the urethra, a urethral stricture involves scar tissue that narrows the urethral passage itself. This condition can develop gradually, often mistaken for aging, and may result from prolonged catheter use, bladder endoscopy, prostate surgery, pelvic trauma, or infections. If left untreated, it can lead to bladder dysfunction, urinary retention, and infections.

Treatment for urethral strictures varies based on the stricture's location, length, scar depth, and recurrence. Initial options include urethral dilation or endoscopic incision to widen the passage. For longer or recurrent strictures, urethroplasty, which reconstructs the urethra using tissue grafts, may be considered. However, these procedures involve significant surgery, anesthesia, and recovery time.

The UVENTA™ is a self-expanding, covered metallic urethral stent that is removed after a certain period.

— Yoon Chul-yongDescribing the design and function of the new urethral stent.

The UVENTA™ stent presents an alternative, particularly for patients who have undergone repeated endoscopic treatments or are not candidates for major reconstructive surgery. This self-expanding, covered metallic stent is designed to maintain the urethral passage while scar tissue heals. It is removable after a set period, distinguishing it from permanent stents. While it offers a less invasive option, potential side effects like pain, infection, migration, or tissue formation exist, necessitating careful patient selection and follow-up by experienced medical professionals.

This collaboration with Sundiode is an important opportunity to secure a key role in the next-generation microLED production process.

— Wonpung Mulsan officialHighlighting the strategic importance of the partnership for the company's future growth.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog