The male urethra is a tube-like structure that allows urine to pass from the bladder during urination. Bulbar urethral stricture is a condition in which there is a narrowing of a portion of the urethra, creating difficulty urinating, including incomplete bladder emptying. It can contribute to urinary tract infections.
Patients are usually treated first through either the insertion of a tool into the urethra that uses pressure to expand the narrow part or by making a cut through the stricture to widen the lumen. Stricture recurrence (relapse, or return of the condition) is common after these procedures due to scarring. The most durable but invasive and complex treatment is to release the stricture with open surgery. A new alternative to open surgery is the paclitaxel-coated balloon that uses a balloon coated with a drug called paclitaxel to widen the urethra. The paclitaxel coating is thought to help minimize scar tissue formation and postpone stricture recurrence.
This health technology assessment looked at how safe, effective, and cost-effective paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation is for adults with recurrent bulbar urethral stricture. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation and at the experiences, preferences, and values of people with bulbar urethral stricture. Read the full health technology assessment report for more information.
Read the full health technology assessment report for more information.
Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Dilation for Adults With Recurrent Bulbar Urethral Stricture
February 2026
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We reviewed evidence on paclitaxel-coated balloon dilation for adults with recurrent bulbar urethral stricture. Read the latest draft recommendation and share your feedback.
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Date posted: February 11, 2026
Closing date for public comment: March 4, 2026