ICD-9-CM 598.9 MedlinePlus 001599 | DiseasesDB 13562 MeSH D014525 | |
Urethral meatal stenosis or urethral stricture is a narrowing (stenosis) of the opening of the urethra at the external meatus /miːˈeɪtəs/, thus constricting the opening through which urine leaves the body from the urinary bladder.
Contents
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Studies have indicated that male circumcision contributes to the development of urethral stricture. Among circumcised males, reported incidence figures include 0%, 0.01%, 0.55%, 0.9%, 2.8%, 7.29%, 9-10%, 11%, and 20%, In Van Howe's study, all cases of meatal stenosis were among circumcised boys. When the meatus is not covered by the foreskin, it can rub against urine soaked diapers resulting in inflammation and mechanical trauma. Meatal stenosis may also be caused by ischemia resulting from damage to the frenular artery during circumcision.
In non-circumcised males, meatal stenosis can occur where phimosis or lichen sclerosus is present. In females, this can be a congenital condition that can be corrected surgically. Surgical treatment, or vaginoplasty is done to separate a fused urethra and vagina or to repair of a urethra that is short
Symptoms
Signs and tests
In boys, history and physical exam is adequate to make the diagnosis. In girls, VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram) is usually diagnostic. Other tests may include:
Treatment
In females, meatal stenosis can usually be treated in the physician's office using local anesthesia to numb the area and dilating (widening) the urethral opening with special instruments.
In boys, it is treated by a second surgical procedure called meatotomy in which the meatus is crushed with a straight mosquito hemostat and then divided with fine-tipped scissors. Recently, home-dilatation has been shown to be a successful treatment for most boys.
Prognosis
Most people can expect normal urination after treatment.
Prevention
Meir and Livne suggest that use of a broad spectrum antibiotic after hypospadias repair will "probably reduce meatal stenosis [rates]", while Jayanthi recommends the use of a modified Snodgrass hypospadias repair. Viville states that "prevention is based essentially upon more caution in the use of indwelling urethral catheters."