Yunlin Man Ends 14-Month 'Tube Life' After Urethral Dilation Procedure

A 30-year-old man in Yunlin, Taiwan, has regained natural urination after enduring 14 months of reliance on a suprapubic bladder drainage tube. The man, identified only as Mr. Liang, initially had his catheter changed monthly, but this frequency increased to every three weeks in recent months, causing him significant discomfort and requiring frequent trips to the hospital.

Liang began experiencing difficulty urinating over a year ago. An examination at another hospital revealed severe urethral narrowing. Due to the narrowness of the stricture, doctors opted for a suprapubic catheter, informing him of the potential need for long-term drainage. This "hanging tube life," as described, lasted over a year, with the last six months marked by increased discomfort and the need for careful management of the tube.

Seeking further treatment, Liang consulted Dr. Tseng Hao-hsiang at Beigang Hospital, affiliated with China Medical University. Dr. Tseng employed a dual-scope approach, using both antegrade and retrograde methods to precisely locate the lesion. The assessment confirmed a 1-centimeter urethral stricture that did not involve the urethral sphincter, making him a candidate for urethral balloon dilation.

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the man's maximum urine flow rate reached 25 milliliters per second, indicating smooth urination

Following the procedure, Liang's maximum urine flow rate reached 25 milliliters per second, indicating smooth urination. A two-month follow-up showed his condition remains stable. Dr. Tseng explained that urethral stricture, often caused by trauma, catheterization, or infection, can sometimes have no clear cause. For shorter strictures without prior radiation therapy, balloon dilation has a success rate of 35-75%. For longer or recurrent strictures, reconstructive surgery might be more effective.

Dr. Tseng emphasized that long-term catheterization, whether indwelling or suprapubic, carries risks such as urinary tract infections, stone formation, and bladder dysfunction. He advised individuals experiencing reduced urine flow, difficulty urinating, or prolonged reliance on drainage tubes to seek a comprehensive evaluation from a urologist, as a permanent "hanging tube" is not always the only solution.

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Long-term catheterization... may increase the risk of urinary tract infections, stones, and bladder dysfunction.