Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
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A direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) is surgery to widen a stricture (narrow area) in your urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. When the stricture is removed, you may be able to urinate more easily.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Seek care immediately if:

• You have blood or pus in your urine.
• You have severe pain in your lower abdomen or lower back.
• You have trouble urinating, or pain when you urinate.

Call your doctor or urologist if:

• You have a fever.
• You have pain in your lower abdomen.
• Your urine stays pink for longer than 1 day.
• You urinate less than usual, or still feel like you have to urinate after you use the bathroom.
• You have pain in the area between your anus and your genitals.
• You are male and have pain with an erection.
• You have pain during or after sex.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Antibiotics help prevent or treat a bacterial infection.
• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Self-care:

• Apply a warm, damp washcloth over your urethral opening. This may help if you have any discomfort.
• Ask your healthcare provider when it is okay to return your usual activities. He or she will tell you when you can drive, return to work, and do your normal activities. Ask when it is okay to have sex.
• Keep the Foley catheter bag below your waist. This will prevent urine from flowing back into your bladder and causing an infection or other problems. Keep the tube free of kinks so the urine will drain properly. Do not pull on the catheter. This can cause pain and bleeding, and may cause the catheter to come out. Your healthcare provider will remove the catheter as soon as possible.
• Drink liquids as directed. Liquids help prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI). Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.
• Do Kegel exercises. These exercises squeeze your pelvic floor muscles and help them become stronger.
• Do not apply pressure on your abdomen. Do not strain, lift heavy objects, or stand for long periods of time. Do not perform strenuous exercises, such as running or weightlifting. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to be careful about pressure.

Empty your urine drainage bag

when it is ½ to ⅔ full, or every 8 hours. If you have a smaller leg bag, empty it every 3 to 4 hours. Do the following when you empty your urine drainage bag:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel. Then put on a clean pair of medical gloves.
• Hold the urine bag over a toilet or large container. Remove the drain spout from its sleeve at the bottom of the urine bag. Do not touch the tip of the drain spout. Open the slide valve on the spout.
• Let the urine flow out of the urine bag into the toilet or container. Do not let the drainage tube touch anything.
• Clean the end of the drain spout with alcohol when the bag is empty. Ask which cleaning solution is best to use.
• Close the slide valve and put the drain spout into its sleeve at the bottom of the urine bag. Write down how much urine was in your bag if you were asked to keep a record.
• Change your urine bag or clean reusable bags. Ask how often you need to change or clean your urine drainage bag. You may need to change your reusable bag at least 1 time each week.

Follow up with your doctor or urologist as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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