Bladder outlet surgery 

Enhancing urine flow for better comfort

Bladder outlet surgery is a procedure designed to improve the flow of urine from the bladder. It is typically performed when there is a blockage or narrowing in the passage that urine travels through, making it difficult to urinate.

The primary goal of this surgery is to remove or reduce the blockage, allowing urine to pass more easily. This can help relieve symptoms such as frequent urination, straining to urinate, or a weak urine stream.

Depending on the underlying cause of the blockage, various surgical techniques may be employed. Recovery times can vary from person to person, but most individuals notice an improvement in their symptoms following the procedure.

For those struggling with urinary difficulties due to blockages, bladder outlet surgery can offer significant relief and enhance overall comfort.

Who is a Candidate?

Patients with bladder outlet obstruction causing lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary retention that is not responsive to medical therapy.

Common indications include:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causing obstruction (men)
• Urethral stricture disease causing obstruction (both sexes)
• Bladder neck contracture after previous prostate surgery.

Recovery Timeline

This is likely to vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Usually 1–5 days, depending on procedure type and complexity
• Catheter: Often left in place for 1–7 days postoperatively
• Initial recovery:
  • Mild pain, urinary burning, or blood in urine for several days
  • Urinary flow typically improves within days to weeks
• Return to light activities: 2–4 weeks
• Full recovery: Around 4–6 weeks, may vary if more complex reconstruction was required.

Benefits

• Relieves urinary obstruction, improving urinary flow and bladder emptying
• Reduces risk of urinary retention, infections, bladder stones, and kidney damage
• Improves quality of life by reducing urgency, frequency, and nocturia
• Can address structural abnormalities such as strictures or bladder neck narrowing.

Risks

• Bleeding or blood clots
• Infection (urinary tract or surgical site)
• Urinary incontinence (temporary or permanent)
• Urethral stricture recurrence requiring repeat intervention
• Bladder or urethral injury during surgery
• Retrograde ejaculation in men (common if prostate or bladder neck is involved).

Bladder outlet surgery encompasses various procedures to relieve obstruction, tailored to the underlying cause (prostate, stricture, or bladder neck). It significantly improves urinary function, but careful surgical planning is needed to minimise complications like incontinence or recurrence.

This is just an outline. Your specialist urology surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.