Meatal stenosis: Difference between revisions

}}</ref> Meatal stenosis is a relatively common acquired condition occurring in 10%-20% of males who are [[Circumcision| 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.

After [[circumcision]] and the loss of [[Foreskin#Protective_functions| foreskin protection]], 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 (nappie). 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 [[intact]] children, [[circumcision]] is believed to be the most important causative factor of meatal stenosis.

Meatal stenosis affects 10%-20% of males who are circumcised in infancy.

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

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,<ref name="brenneman1921">{{REFjournal

  |accessdate=2022-01-25

}}</ref> loss of meatal epithelium, and fusion of its ventral edges. This results in a pinpoint orifice at the tip of the glans.

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.