Urethrotomy, also known as direct vision internal urethrotomy, is a surgical procedure used to treat urethral stricture disease. It is an outpatient surgery that involves the use of a urethrotome or a surgical knife passed through a cystoscope to widen a narrowed urethra. Urethrotomies are generally performed only in men because urethral strictures in women are very, very rare. If you complain of symptoms such as pain when urinating, urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, urination, and inability to empty your bladder completely, your doctor may suspect a narrowing of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from your bladder). bubble).