The urethra is the tube that urine flows out of from your bladder. If you have trouble passing urine then it could be due to a blockage in your urethra, called a stricture. As well as trouble passing urine a stricture can cause;
- Spraying of urine or a double stream may occur.
- Dribbling of urine for a while after going to the toilet to pass urine
- Frequency sometimes occurs (needing to pass urine more often than normal).
- Urine infections.
- You may have a reduced force of ejaculation.
- Sometimes, pain on passing urine.
To treat a stricture, thin rods of increasing thickness are gently inserted to gradually dilate the narrowed stricture. The aim is to gradually stretch and widen the stricture without causing additional scarring. However, a stricture often tends gradually to narrow again after each dilation. Therefore, a repeat dilation is commonly needed every so often when symptoms recur.
The Pratt 11 inch Urethral Sound Kit comes with 8 hollow body friendly stainless-steel sounds that gradually increase in width of the urethra. The small, gradual increments in width make the treatment as painless as possible. The stainless-steel is ultra-smooth so we used with lubricant causing next to zero friction for the most comfortable treatment.
The great thing about this set is that the sounds are slightly larger on one end than on the other. This means that you get a total of 16 graduated sizes from 3.5mm to 18mm.
Anal Dilation
Anal dilation using a Pratt dilator is a safe and straightforward procedure designed to stretch the anus. This technique is often employed before an anorectal operation to prepare the area and is especially crucial after surgery to prevent the formation of scar tissue, which can narrow the new anal opening. Rectal dilatation is necessary for various reasons, including the treatment of conditions such as anal stenosis, hemorrhoids, and chronic anal fissures. It can also be used to alleviate symptoms of constipation and to prepare for certain medical examinations or procedures.
For children, anal dilation holds particular importance. It is commonly used in pediatric patients who have congenital anorectal malformations, such as imperforate anus, where the anus is missing or blocked. After corrective surgery, regular dilation helps maintain the patency of the new anal opening and ensures normal bowel function. Additionally, children with conditions like Hirschsprung's disease, where parts of the intestine lack nerve cells, may require dilation to manage bowel movements effectively. Regular anal dilation can significantly improve the quality of life for these children by preventing complications and promoting proper healing and development.