Approximately 10% of males suffer from meatal stenosis. This is a common, easily treatable condition in circumcised male infants. This procedure is also recommended for patients who suffer mild hypospadias (a birth abnormality where the opening is not found at the tip of the penis).

Meatal Stenosis occurs when the opening in the penis becomes narrow and closed.

The symptoms include:

• There is a problem with the urine stream.
• A urine stream that is thin and points up or down indicates meatal stenosis.
• A poor flow of urine may also be a sign of this condition.
• A burning sensation when urinating may indicate meatal stenosis.
• The urge to pee often may indicate meatal stenosis.
• ● In this condition, a blood spot is seen at the tip of the penis at the end of urination.
• This condition is also indicated by an unsatisfactory feeling after urinating.

In some instances, bedwetting may occur, and urethral discharge and urine may become darker than normal. It is possible to experience pain in the pelvis as well.

In most cases of meatal stenosis, parents identify the problem after the baby has started potty training. You should immediately seek medical advice if your child exhibits any of the above symptoms. If left untreated, meatal stenosis can result in kidney and urinary tract infections.

Your child’s urologist may start the examination with a urine sample test for a urinary tract infection if symptoms are present. In addition, another common test for this problem is a cystoscopy. In this process, your child’s urologist will insert a thin tube, also known as a cystoscope, into the urethra and up into the bladder to examine the organs closely. Your doctor will then examine your child physically. A physical examination will reveal a narrowed meatus.
Also, other factors that your child’s urologist will consider are the urine stream and the measurement of the rate of flow. A urine stream that travels and sprays irregularly indicates that meatal stenosis needs treatment.

As a result of this condition, meatoplasty surgery is performed. It involves retracting a piece of skin from the penis and stitching it into the external meatus. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. Antibiotics will be injected before the procedure if your child has been diagnosed with allergies.

An incision is made into the inner side of the tip of the penis via the narrowed area through the healthy urethra. To create a wider opening, a flap of skin will be folded and stitched into the separated edges of the meatus. A catheter may also be inserted into the bladder. The skin will be stitched together with absorbable stitches. Meatoplasty usually takes about an hour.

Your child’s healthcare provider will prescribe pain relievers and warm baths to get rid of the discomfort. Bleeding is uncommon. If your child experiences bleeding, apply pressure on the affected area for a few minutes. This will stop the bleeding.

Ask your child to hydrate every few hours throughout the day. This helps reduce stinging—the less concentrated the urine, the less the discomfort. Avoid citrus fruits and juices. Your child may experience a burning sensation during the initial 24 hours. However, this problem resolves in a day unless it is very bothersome.

This procedure improves urine flow and reduces other urological problems, such as pain while urinating, a thin and inconsistent stream of urine, blood in the urine, and more frequent urination.

If your child experiences a slowed stream of urine or wetness, and these symptoms and signs continue to worsen over time, you urgently need to see your child’s urologist. They will guide you based on the symptoms and the severity of your child’s condition. However, if you keep delaying, the disease may advance, leading to even more serious complications.

At Smiles Institute of Gastroenterology, we have board-certified pediatric urologists who can quickly detect meatal stenosis. We focus on maintaining a kid-friendly environment, and usually, we can handle this procedure easily and without pain.