Meatal stenosis
Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening at the tip of the penis where urine exits the body. This narrowing can be congenital (from birth) but most often is acquired. Meatal stenosis may be a complication that occurs after circumcision, injury to the penis, prolonged use of urinary catheters, inflammatory skin conditions, or surgery for hypospadias.
What are the symptoms of meatal stenosis?
Boys with meatal stenosis may have a variety of symptoms related to the partially obstructed flow of urine. This can include:
- Urinary stream that sprays or is difficult to aim
- Small drop of blood from the tip of the penis after urination
- Pain or burning with urination
- An urgent need to urinate
How is meatal stenosis treated?
Surgery for meatal stenosis involves an incision to enlarge the meatus (the urinary opening). In most cases, children are able to recover rapidly from the surgery and can resume their normal lives within a few days.
About surgery for meatal stenosis at Children’s
Meatal stenosis surgery is one of the most commonly performed at Children’s. Urologic surgery teams at Children’s provide next-generation care to neonatal infants, newborns, children, and adolescents from throughout the Upper Midwest and consistently performs some of the most cutting-edge surgical procedures available, including newborn surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery, when appropriate. Surgery for meatal stenosis is performed at Children’s – Minneapolis, Children’s – St. Paul and Children’s – Minnetonka.
Contact us
- If you are a family member looking for a Children’s specialist in general surgery or urology surgery, please visit Find a Doctor or call the Center for Pediatric Urology at 1-800-992-6983.
- If you are a health professional looking for a consultation or referral information, please call Children’s Physician Access at 1-866-755-2121 (toll-free).