- September 14, 2024
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Dr. Steven Sidelsky, of UF Health Urology at Halifax Health, and his team are among the first in the Volusia-Flagler area to perform an innovative procedure to treat urethral strictures (narrowing of the urethra) using a drug-coated balloon.
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue and can cause severe discomfort and lead to complications such as kidney damage if left untreated. The most common treatment for urethral strictures has been catheters to remove urine from the bladder multiple times a day. Other procedures involve stretching, cutting, or removing the stricture entirely.
The new procedure is minimally invasive and allows men to return home the day of surgery. Downtime is also minimal. By locally delivering medication directly to the stricture site, the procedure not only addresses the immediate obstruction but also helps prevent recurrence.
The balloon device expands the scar tissue surrounding the urethral stricture, creating a dilation and micro-fissures in the affected area. That allows the chemotherapy drug to be delivered directly to the stricture.
The technique results in limited scar tissue and helps prevent future recurrence.
“This procedure exemplifies the kind of advanced care that only Halifax Health can provide, ensuring that our patients receive the most effective and innovative treatments available,” Sidelsky said.
