Urethral Meatal Stenosis in Males

Meatitis, an inflammation generally secondary to ammoniacal diaper irritation, has been cited as the underlying cause of secondary meatal stenosis.1 The lack of protection by the foreskin in the circumcised male is thought to correlate with an increased incidence of meatitis. Meatal narrowing has been noted to occur more commonly in the circumcised 1,2 The formation of a ventral lip of tissue is characteristic of secondary meatal narrowing and may cause deflection of the urinary stream upward. Campbell, however, suggested that congenital meatal stenosis is the underlying cause of meatitis,3 whereas Allen and Summers believe meatitis can be either the cause or the effect of meatal stenosis.’ Other factors which have been stated to influence the development of secondary meatal stenosis include abrasions and diet.2