Urethral Stricture Disease and Urethroplasty in Older Men

Urethral stricture disease is scarring of the anterior urethra leading to urinary obstruction. The incidence of urethral stricture disease increases with age. Older men have an increased risk of coexisting medical conditions which may exacerbate urinary symptoms in the face of a urethral stricture. Initial management of urethral stricture disease uses minimally invasive methods. Urethral reconstruction should be reserved for patients with previous treatment failures and complex stricture disease. Urethral reconstruction can be safe and effective in older men, but fragility and comornidities should be considered when selecting surgical candidates.