Patient Advice Following an Optical Urethrotomy

You have undergone a procedure that involves cutting the stricture (narrowing) in your urethra (the water pipe). This will help to improve your urine flow.

Wound

You will need to have a catheter inserted into the bladder for a few days to keep the urethra (water pipe) open. There is often bleeding around the catheter, this is quite normal. This should only last for a short period. The catheter usually stays in between 24 hours to five days. Specific post operation instructions will be given to you on discharge from hospital.

The catheter is removed by a District Nurse who will come to your home to remove it. Once the catheter is removed, you should be able to pass urine with an improved flow. You may, however, notice that your urine may be bloodstained and may be uncomfortable to pass at first.

Pain

You should take some pain relief as necessary and follow the instructions on the packet. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

You may experience burning or stinging when you pass urine. This will ease by increasing your fluid intake. You are advised to drink at least 2 – 3 litres of fluid daily for 5 days which will help to flush your water passage through. This will dilute your urine making it less acidic. If this discomfort continues, or gets worse despite drinking plenty, contact your GP.

If your urine begins to smell offensive, or you develop a temperature, continue to drink plenty and contact your GP, as this may be a sign of infection.

Activity

It is normal to feel tired following a general anaesthetic. Take it easy for the first 24 hours. You may resume sexual intercourse when your urine is clear and you feel comfortable to do so.

Your own circumstances will determine when you return to work. You can self-certificate for one week. Contact your GP for a fit-note if further time off is required.

You must not drive for the first 24 hours following sedation or a general anaesthetic. This is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act.

General advice

If you experience any of the following, please contact your GP or out of hours GP immediately:

• Urinary retention (unable to pass urine)
• Large blood clots in the urine that are difficult to pass
• Excessive bleeding
• Excessive burning, stinging or an offensive smell when passing urine
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, shivering, general aching or feeling unwell.

Contact information

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the following Dorset County Hospital Staff: 

GP or out of hours GP

NHS Direct 111

Dorchester Day Surgery Unit: 01305 254501 (day of procedure only)

Lulworth Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255471

Abbotsbury Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255150

Urology Nurse Specialist: 01305 255415

Continence Advisors: 01305 259978

Consultant Urological Surgeons:
Mr N Afzal 01305 255468

Mr R David 01305 255274

Miss F New 01305 255470

Mr R Blegay 01305 255468

Mr M Bajwa 01305 255274

Mr Q Chaudhry 01305 255274

About this leaflet

Author: Laura Gower, Staff Nurse
Written: April 2015
Updated by and approved: Kayleigh Fairchild, Deputy Sister 2025
Review date: 2028
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk