Optilume (Urotronic)
Optilume (Urotronic) is a drug-coated balloon indicated for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures. The technology combines with delivering a proliferative drug (paclitaxel) to reduce stricture recurrence.
What is urethral stricture disease?
A urethral stricture is a scar in or around the urethra that can restrict the flow of urine. If left untreated, strictures can lead to serious complications such as bladder and kidney damage, infections, poor ejaculation, and male infertility.
How do I know if I have a urethral stenosis?
Only a doctor can accurately diagnose your condition, but common symptoms include:
- Weak urine flow
+Feeling like you are constantly urinating
In cases where the disease progresses, since the urine produced in the kidneys cannot fill the bladder, it accumulates in the ureters, that is, in the tube that carries it, and may cause kidney damage by causing enlargement in the kidney pools in the future.
Optilume® Drug Coated Balloon in the treatment of urethral stricture
The Optilume® Drug-Coated Balloon has emerged as a new, minimally invasive solution for patients with recurrent urethral strictures. It is routinely performed as an outpatient, local anesthetic procedure. The device is made of a dilatation balloon covered with an anti-proliferative drug (Paclitaxel), which is delivered to the inner urethral wall during the procedure to prevent the fibrotic tissue response associated with recurrence of the stricture. The drug then seeps into the stricture tissue and is designed to block the natural urethral response to rescarring and then prevent future recurrence.
The balloon, which is deflated at the beginning of the procedure, is advanced endoscopically through the narrow part of the urethra. Then, the balloon is inflated while in place, breaking the scar tissue in the stenosis and also making it easier for the drug to be released into the target tissue.
For which patients is Optilume® treatment suitable?
This treatment is currently intended for patients with recurrent anterior or “bulbar” urethral strictures up to 3 cm in length. At the end of surgery, the patient may be catheterized for up to two days to ensure that the drug remains effective in the urethral tissue. There are minimal complications associated with this treatment, and most of them are localized in the treated urethra. There have been several studies with a follow-up of more than 3 years demonstrating the safety, efficacy, and durability of this therapy in patients with recurrent urethral strictures.
In conclusion, the Optilume® Drug-Coated Balloon is a promising, innovative treatment that provides a pre-open surgery solution.
