eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Surgery > Urology

Meatal Stenosis

Updated: Oct 1, 2009

Introduction

Background

Genital disorders are commonly encountered in the office of the primary care physician. Meatal stenosis is a relatively common acquired condition occurring in 9%-10% of males who are circumcised. This disorder is characterized by an upward deflected, difficult-to-aim urinary stream and, occasionally, dysuria and urgent, frequent, and prolonged urination. Surgical meatotomy is curative.

Pathophysiology

After circumcision, a child who is not toilet-trained persistently exposes the meatus to urine, resulting in inflammation (ammoniacal dermatitis) and mechanical trauma as the meatus rubs against a wet diaper. This causes the loss of the delicate epithelial lining of the distal urethra. This loss may result in adherence of the epithelial lining at the ventral side, leaving a pinpoint orifice at the tip of the glans. Because this condition is exceedingly rare in uncircumcised children, circumcision is believed to be the most important causative factor of meatal stenosis.

Another hypothetical cause of this condition is ischemia due to damage to the frenular artery during circumcision, resulting in poor blood supply to the meatus and subsequent stenosis. In a prospective study of circumcised boys, Van Howe (2006) found meatal stenosis in 24 of 239 (7.29%) children older than 3 years, making meatal stenosis the most common complication of circumcision.¹

Frequency

International

Meatal stenosis affects 9%-10% of males who are circumcised.

Mortality/Morbidity

Meatal stenosis carries no risk of mortality.
Morbidity is limited to the clinical symptoms and complications of surgical repair, including bleeding, infection, and recurrence.

Race

Meatal stenosis has no racial predilection. The condition can occur in circumcised males independent of ethnicity.

Sex

Meatal stenosis occurs only in males.

Age

Children who are not toilet-trained are more prone to develop meatal stenosis after circumcision because of exposure of the meatus to urine in diapers. Most children who are toilet-trained can verbalize their difficulties during micturition to their caregivers.

Clinical

History

Difficult-to-aim (upward deflected), high-velocity (long distance) stream of urine
Pain upon initiation of micturition
Need to stand back from toilet or sit during urination
Burning at meatus
Blood spots in underwear
Urgent, frequent, and prolonged emptying of the bladder

Physical

Meatal stenosis can be suspected based on the presence of a small meatus during examination, particularly if, with lateral traction, the ventral edges of the meatus appear fused.
Observation of the child while voiding helps immensely in confirming the diagnosis of the disorder.
If the physician desires to calibrate the meatus, Litvak et al report that the meatus in children younger than 1 year will accept a lubricated 5F feeding tube. They also report that, in children aged 1-6 years, an 8F feeding tube should pass without difficulty.²

Causes

In a child who is circumcised, persistent exposure of the meatus to urine and mechanical trauma from rubbing against a wet diaper results in ammoniacal dermatitis, loss of meatal epithelium, and fusion of its ventral edges. This results in a pinpoint orifice at the tip of the glans.
Other causes of meatal stenosis include the following:
- Unsuccessful hypospadias repair
- Trauma
- Prolonged catheterization
- Balanitis xerotica obliterans
  - Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), which is an unusual condition that causes a whitish discoloration and dry appearance of the glans, can also cause meatal stenosis.
  - A 10-year retrospective series at Boston Children's Hospital included 41 patients with a median age of 10.6 years. Eighty-five percent of the patients were aged 8-13 years. The disease process was found to involve the prepuce, the glans, and, sometimes, the urethra. The most common referral diagnoses included phimosis (52%), balanitis (13%), and buried penis (10%). In 46% of the patients, circumcision was curative. Twenty-seven percent (11 patients) had meatal involvement that was treated by meatotomy and meatoplasty, and 22% required extensive plastic procedures of the penis, including buccal mucosal grafts.³
  - In children with BXO, meatal stenosis seems to be quite common.
  - Although BXO is difficult to treat, meatotomy yields good results in patients with BXO.

Differential Diagnoses

Circumcision

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Meatal stenosis does not cause urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis, or any form of obstruction of the lower urinary tract. For this reason, no further urological investigation is warranted. If the diagnosis is in question, observing the child void, with particular attention to the force of the stream (increased), caliber of the stream (decreased), and duration of the voiding episode (usually prolonged), is helpful. If an elimination disorder is suspected, noninvasive urodynamics such as uroflow with electromyography (pad electrodes) and measurement of bladder capacity and postvoid residuals could be indicated. If associated infection is a possibility, urinalysis with culture should be obtained.

Treatment

Surgical Care

Serial dilatation results in small tears of the meatus, which are followed by secondary healing. In the long term, this creates a tighter stricture at the tip of the penis; therefore, this procedure is discouraged.
Meatotomy is the definitive treatment for meatal stenosis. Meatotomy is a simple procedure in which the ventrum of the meatus is crushed (for hemostasis) for 60 seconds with a straight mosquito hemostat and then divided with fine-tipped scissors.
Brown et al reported excellent results following 130 office meatotomies with only 2 recurrences of meatal stenosis and 1 patient with bleeding requiring stitches. They also cited the cost-effectiveness of this treatment and noted good patient tolerance when a caring approach is used to reassure the child before and during the procedure. In this series, parents were encouraged to remain with the children during the operation, as their presence seemed to have a calming effect.⁴
- If the caregivers and the patient are cooperative, this procedure can be performed in the office of the physician using a topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA cream) applied liberally over the entire glans and secured in place for at least one hour with an occlusive dressing.
- After being in place for one hour, the dressing is removed and the penis is prepared and draped into a sterile field.
- Throughout this procedure, reassure the child and tell him what is being done.
- Introduce one blade of a straight mosquito hemostat into the meatus and crush the ventrum of the meatus (approximately 3 mm) by closing the hemostat. This provides adequate hemostasis in most cases.
- Divide the crushed area with a straight fine-tipped scissor and apply an antibiotic ointment.
- After the operation, it is critical that the caregivers separate the edges of the meatus and apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly twice a day for 2 weeks and then once a day for another 2 weeks to prevent one side of the meatotomy from adhering to the other side. Some medical professionals recommend dilation with a lubricated feeding tube or the tip of an ophthalmic ointment tube for a period of 4-8 weeks.
- In a survey of office pediatric urologic procedures, which included meatotomy, lysis of labial adhesions, and newborn circumcision, Smith and Smith (2000) found that 95 of 99 parents stated that they were satisfied with their decision to have these procedures performed in the office, and 95% reported good outcomes (only 1 patient had recurrent meatal stenosis).⁵
- Mild dysuria may be present for 1-2 days after meatotomy. If dysuria results in urinary retention, placing the child in a tub of warm water may stimulate micturition.

Consultations

If the primary care physician is unwilling to perform a meatotomy, encourage consultation with a pediatric urologist.

Activity

After meatotomy, instruct caregivers to dress the child in loose underwear for 24 hours.
Restrict activities, such as contact sports, bicycle rides, and playground activities, for 3-4 days.

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Following meatotomy, caregivers should separate the edges of the meatus and apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly twice a day for 2 weeks and then once a day for 2 more weeks.

Complications

Complications include bleeding during or after meatotomy, infection, and recurrence. All of these complications are quite rare and respond readily to appropriate management.
Mild dysuria may persist for 1-2 days. Placing the child in a tub of warm water may provide relief.

Prognosis

Prognosis is excellent. Meatotomy cures the symptoms of most patients.

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Men's Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Foreskin Problems and Circumcision.

References

Van Howe RS. Incidence of meatal stenosis following neonatal circumcision in a primary care setting. Clin Pediatr (Phila). Jan-Feb 2006;45(1):49-54. [Medline].
Litvak AS, Morris JA, McRoberts JW. Normal size of the urethral meatus in boys. J Urol. Jun 1976;115(6):736-7. [Medline].
Gargollo PC, Kozakewich HP, Bauer SB, et al. Balanitis xerotica obliterans in boys. J Urol. Oct 2005;174(4 Pt 1):1409-12. [Medline].
Brown MR, Cartwright PC, Snow BW. Common office problems in pediatric urology and gynecology. Pediatr Clin North Am. Oct 1997;44(5):1091-115. [Medline].
Smith C, Smith DP. Office pediatric urologic procedures from a parental perspective. Urology. Feb 2000;55(2):272-6. [Medline].
Frank JD, Pocock RD, Stower MJ. Urethral strictures in childhood. Br J Urol. Dec 1988;62(6):590-2. [Medline].
Garat JM, Chechile G, Algaba F, Santaularia JM. Balanitis xerotica obliterans in children. J Urol. Aug 1986;136(2):436-7. [Medline].
Persad R, Sharma S, McTavish J, et al. Clinical presentation and pathophysiology of meatal stenosis following circumcision. Br J Urol. Jan 1995;75(1):91-3. [Medline].
Sijstermans K, Hack WW, Bos SD, van der Horst HJ. [Urethral meatal stenosis in boys easily overlooked]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. Dec 10 2005;149(50):2765-9. [Medline].
Stenram A, Malmfors G, Okmian L. Circumcision for phimosis: a follow-up study. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 1986;20(2):89-92. [Medline].

Keywords

meatal stenosis, circumcision, circumcision complication, meatus, meatotomy

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Carlos A Angel, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Tennessee School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, East Tennessee Pediatric Surgery Group
Carlos A Angel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Children's Oncology Group, International Children's Continence Society, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, New York Academy of Sciences, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Texas Pediatric Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Howard M Snyder III, MD, Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Howard M Snyder III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, and National Kidney Foundation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Harry P Koo, MD, Chairman of Urology Division and Director of Pediatric Urology, Virginia Commonwealth University; Professor of Surgery, VCU School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia; Director of Urology, Children's Hospital of Richmond
Harry P Koo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, and American Urological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine
Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Marc Cendron, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Urological Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston
Marc Cendron, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Urological Association, European Society for Paediatric Urology, Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, New Hampshire Medical Society, Society for Fetal Urology, and Society for Pediatric Urology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Further Reading