N35.013 Post-traumatic anterior urethral stricture

Name of the Condition

• Post-traumatic anterior urethral stricture
• ICD-10-CM Code: N35.013

Summary

Post-traumatic anterior urethral stricture refers to the narrowing of the anterior portion of the urethra due to scarring from prior injury. This condition can obstruct urine flow and lead to urinary symptoms.

Causes

Direct trauma to the anterior urethra, such as from pelvic fractures, straddle injuries, or penetrating wounds. Iatrogenic injury from surgical procedures or instrumentation of the urethra.

Risk Factors

• History of pelvic or perineal trauma.
• Previous urethral surgery or catheterization.
• Prolonged catheter use or repeated urethral instrumentation.

Symptoms

• Difficulty initiating urination.
• Weak or intermittent urine stream.
• Urinary frequency or urgency.
• Painful urination or discomfort.
• Urinary retention or incomplete bladder emptying.

Diagnosis

Physical examination to assess urethral patency. Uroflowmetry to measure urine flow rate. Retrograde urethrogram or voiding cystourethrogram to visualize the stricture. Cystoscopy to directly inspect the urethra and stricture.

Treatment Options

• Urethral dilation to temporarily widen the stricture.
• Internal urethrotomy to incise the stricture.
• Open or endoscopic urethroplasty for definitive repair.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

Prognosis depends on stricture severity and treatment success; recurrence is possible. Regular follow-up with urologic evaluation is recommended to monitor for recurrence or complications.

Complications

• Urinary tract infections.
• Urinary retention or incontinence.
• Renal impairment from chronic obstruction.
• Recurrent stricture formation.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Avoid activities that risk pelvic or urethral trauma.
• Use proper catheterization techniques to minimize injury.
• Seek prompt treatment for urethral injuries to reduce scarring.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Persistent difficulty urinating or weak stream.
• Severe pain during urination or inability to void.
• Signs of infection, such as fever or cloudy urine.

Tips for Medical Coders

• Document the location (anterior urethra) and traumatic etiology to support N35.013.
• Include details of diagnostic procedures (e.g., urethroscopy, imaging) and treatment interventions.
• Ensure clinical correlation between the stricture and documented trauma history.