The Optilume drug-coated balloon (DCB) is an effective alternative to traditional stricture treatments, offering minimally-invasive, immediate relief. Optilume works by preventing new scar tissue growth that often returns after dilations or DVIU.
Paclitaxel, the drug that coats the balloon, is an antiproliferative – specifically designed to stop persistent cell division (proliferation). It has been effectively used in millions of patients worldwide since 1992, in various applications.
What is urethral stricture disease?
A urethral stricture is a scar in or around the urethra that can restrict the flow of urine. If left untreated, strictures can lead to serious complications, including bladder and kidney damage, infections, poor ejaculation, and infertility in men.
How do I know if I have urethral strictures?
While only a doctor can properly diagnose your condition, common symptoms include:
- Hesitancy when waiting for the stream of urine to begin
- Weak or irregular flow
- Straining to urinate
- Painful urination
- A sense of incomplete emptying
- Dribbling after urination
Some common causes of urethral strictures include:
- Medical procedures that involve inserting an instrument, such as an endoscope, into the urethra
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Reactions to latex in Foley catheters
- Irritation from intermittent or long-term catheter use
- Trauma or injury to the urethra or pelvis
- BPH symptoms or previous surgery to remove or reduce an enlarged prostate gland
- Cancer of the urethra or prostate
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Treatment Options
You may have tried some of these treatments that frequently lead to further strictures:
- Intermittent self-catheterization
- Dilation
- Internal urethrotomy (DVIU)
- Urethroplasty
How is Optilume different?
- One-time procedure that takes 15 minutes to perform at our offices
- Requires no hospital stay or a lengthy recovery period
- No ongoing treatments necessary
- 75% success rate with nearly 0% serious complications
- In most cases, Optilume provides immediate relief
Optilume Success Rate
After one year, 3 out of 4 patients who received the Optilume DCB treatment were stricture-free. These men, who had failed prior traditional endoscopic treatments, experienced a 290% improvement in urinary flow, a 75% reduction in symptoms and suffered zero serious complications.1
1. One-Year Safety and Efficacy Outcomes on a Novel Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) for Urethral Stricture Disease – The ROBUST I Study G. H. Jordan, R. Virasoro, J. DeLong, R. Estrella, M. Pichardo, R. R. Lay, G. Espino, G. Webster, S. Elliot.
