First for Spire Regency Hospital

Consultant Urologist Professor Andrew Sinclair has performed the Spire Regency hospital’s first Optilume procedure.

Optilume is a minimally invasive and low risk treatment to patients suffering from urethral stricture disease. A urethral stricture is scar tissue in the urethra which blocks or slows the flow of urine. This is a common condition that can affect men of all ages and causes uncomfortable symptoms including the need to urinate often, the weak and slow flow of urine, urinary tract infections and a feeling of being unable to empty the bladder fully. 

Professor Andrew Sinclair says, “Optilume is a new NICE approved treatment for urethral strictures. This is a major breakthrough in the management of urethral strictures. Previously we offered dilation or incision of a stricture which was a small procedure but had a high rate of recurrence. Alternatively, the patient may need a reconstructive procedure called a urethroplasty. 

“The Optilume procedure allows us to perform a minimally invasive procedure with a much lower risk of recurrence. When this is used instead of reconstruction, it turns an inpatient stay to a day case procedure. The patient only requires a catheter for one week instead of three and the recovery is much quicker.”