Today I had a uroflowmetry test, 7 weeks after urethroplasty surgery. This test measures the urine flow rate. You can read all about the details of what goes into this test here at the Johns Hopkins Medical Library.
The purpose of the test, at least after a urethroplasty, is to check on how well the surgical fix is holding. Prior to my surgery, which was needed to correct a urethral stricture, my flow rate had become essentially zero. At its worst, I could not pee at all. That was the day I went to the emergency room.
So after 3 months of bladder-rest, during which time I was fitted with a supra-pubic catheter, my urology team performed end-to-end urethroplasty to cut out portion of the urethra containing the stricture and re-attach the the two remaining healthy ends.
17 days after my surgery, the last catheter (the one placed during the surgery) was removed – a very happy day! And today, 7 weeks after surgery, they did my uroflowmetry test.
The result of that test was really impressive. I’ve reported that my own assessment of flow after the catheter was removed was “better than I’d ever had in my life,” at least that I remember. It doesn’t feel like it has changed from that level, and the result of my test seem to confirm it. I was at the 90th percentile – better than 90 percent of all men (about 35 mL/s)! My doctor said “I’m going to steal this and tell folks it’s mine.” He also said he’s never seen the flow rate score that high. Obviously, he hadn’t seen any of those top 10% until today:). According to the NIH article here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472847/ this is called “superflow,” which is usually only seen “after a de-obstructive procedure” like a urethroplasty.
That is one darned successful surgery!
Now, I’ve also been complaining in these pages about the pain I’ve been experiencing, even 7 weeks on. I was finally able to get my surgeon to examine me today about that pain. Up to now, I’ve only been able to communicate about this pain on the phone. Well, the verdict was that this pain is totally to be expected, even this long after surgery. In fact, he said it can take up to a full year to fully heal from the kind of trauma done during a urethroplasty!
This was actually comforting news to me. Knowing that the pain is normal, and not some infection, or cancer, or worse. So I am really happy about today’s test.
I’ll have to have to have periodic uroflowmetry for years to come, because guys who have had a stricture are more likely to get another one in their lifetime. But the small size of my stricture (less than a centimeter), and the type of urethroplasty I had (end-to-end) typically result in a 90+ percent long-term success rate. So even though I have several months to go before the pain goes away, I’m pretty confident I’ll be OK in the stricture department at least.
Great News Ken! Wow! You smashed that thing!
I am having my test in November. I will let you know how my numbers come back.
I will try to beat yours! hahahaha
Glad to hear about your recovery. I am still making small strides forward too.
I heard the same thing about the length of time until full recovery. I plan to party next summer to celebrate one year.
Hope all is well.
c
Thanks Chris! Yeah I hear you about the partying thing. I’m getting (well, I’m well past the point actually) tired of constant pain. This pain just keeps on being the same. Yesterday was 8 weeks from my surgery and it still feels like it did 2 or even 4 weeks ago. Sigh. At least the doc didn’t see anything abnormal down there. That’s not counting the inguinal hernia:-P.
He strongly suspects that the inguinal hernia happened when my bladder was causing contractions when my pre-catheter urinary retention problem was at its worst. I’m hoping 2014 will have way fewer hospitals in it.
Cheers!
Ken
You guys are so lucky, my urethroplasty I had around the same time as you guys if you remember is not working out. I’m at a total loss, 23 years old and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have sex again. I had the end to end urethroplasty and the x ray looked so fantastic post op. No idea how it restrictured and everything within weeks. Doctor has given me little to no information and seems to be dumbfounded. Very happy it worked out for you guys but can’t wrap my head around how mine failed so miserably with such a reputable surgeon.
Oh man. Sorry to hear that, Nick! Are they going to try again? I assume so.
Ken
Oh no….I am so sorry to hear this Nick. I hope that they can figure out what is going on and will help you.
Wishing you all the best.