Procedures
Meatotomy or Meatoplasty
What is a meatotomy or a metatoplasty of the urethra?
It is a surgical operation that aims to widen the opening of the urinary meatus (the end of the urethra) which, for various reasons, can be narrowed and does not allow the proper passage of urine. A classic example is the stenosis at the level of the spongy urethra in men.
The meatotomy is essentially the incision and enlargement of the urinary meatus, while the meatoplasty is the remodeling of the urethral meatus.
How does a meatotomy or a meatoplasty work?
Under local anesthesia and a penile block, Dr. Marois makes an incision in the stenosis, using a scalpel or electrocauter, to obtain a functional opening. Absorbable sutures are then put in place. A urinary catheter is sometimes left for a short time.
Who are the candidates for a meatotomy or a meatoplasty?
Patients with severe and recurrent urethral stenosis, despite regular self-dilatation.
What are the possible complications following a meatotomy or a meatoplasty?
- Possible recurrence; a narrowing of the urethral meatus after the surgical procedure, may occur in some patients
- Loss of elasticity of the tissues in the urethra
- Bleeding (can last from a few days to a few weeks)
- Infection (rare)