Introduction

Meatal Stenosis as the name suggests in narrowing of the external urethral meatus.It may be congenital (ie) present right from birth or it may be acquired.When meatal stenosis is congenital, it is associated with other anomaly namely hypospadias- A defect in which the urethral opening is situated on the undersurface of the penis.

Acquired Meatal Stenosis

It occurs following circumcision (removal of the foreskin) in neonates. It is thought to be due to an inflammatory reaction occurring following circumcision. It might also be caused due to lack of blood supply to the meatus following circumcision.
Meatal stenosis might also be caused due to a condition called Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans. It appears as a whitish plague which may involve the foreskin, glans penis as well.
Meatal stenosis in adults occurs following inflammation, specific or non-specific urethral infection and trauma (especially in association with indwelling catheters or urethral instrumentation.

Symptoms associated with Meatal Stenosis

In case of pin hole meatus, the patient may void with a forceful, fine stream which has a greater casting distance.
Dysuria ( pain or burning sensation accompanied with micturition).
Increased frequency of urination.
Terminal haematuria.
In certain cases where the meatus ie extremely stenotic, the patient may present with acute retention of urine.

Treatment of Meatal Stenosis

A more sure way to overcome meatal and sub-meatal stenosis is to do a meatotomy or meatoplasty.