Adventist Health Simi Valley First in Ventura County to Offer Optilume Procedure

Adventist Health Simi Valley is the first hospital in Ventura County to offer Optilume®, a new, FDA-approved treatment for men with urethral stricture disease.

A urethral stricture happens when scar tissue makes the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) too narrow. This can block urine flow, making it hard or painful to pee. Men may also have a weak stream, frequent infections, or feel like they can’t fully empty their bladder. If untreated, it can lead to serious problems.

Every year, more than 1.5 million men in the U.S. deal with this condition. Because the scar tissue often re-forms again and again, many men need repeat procedures or even major reconstructive surgeries on the urethra to restore normal urine flow.

The Optilume procedure is different. It is a safe, minimally invasive outpatient treatment that takes only 20–30 minutes, and patients go home the same day. A special balloon is placed inside the narrowed area which gently stretches open the scar tissue while also delivering medicine that helps keep the urethra from closing again.

Dr. Desiree Sanchez, a urologist at Adventist Health Simi Valley, performed the first Optilume procedure at the hospital and in all of Ventura County. “This breakthrough treatment provides fast relief, longer-lasting results and is supported by reliable data,” she said. “It greatly decreases the risk of needing repeat procedures or major surgeries on the very delicate urethra.”