Which procedure is considered definitive treatment for urethral stricture?

• A. Dilation
• B. Intermittent catheterization
• C. Urethroplasty
• D. Antibiotic therapy

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that curing a urethral stricture requires reconstructing the urethra to a durable, patent lumen, not just widening it temporarily. Dilation and intermittent catheterization can relieve obstruction in the short term, but they do not remove the scar tissue or permanently restore normal urethral caliber, so recurrence is common. Antibiotics address infection, not the structural narrowing. Urethroplasty surgically reconstructs the narrowed segment, either by removing the scar and rejoining ends or by grafting/flapping tissue to replace the diseased section. This approach offers the most durable cure, with higher long-term success and lower recurrence rates, especially for longer or recurrent strictures or those not amenable to endoscopic treatment.