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The meatus is the opening in the penis where urine (pee) comes out. In meatal stenosis (mee-AT-ul steh-NO-sis), the meatus is too small.

More to Know

When the meatus is too small, a boy may have difficulty urinating (peeing).

Meatal stenosis is corrected in an outpatient procedure — called a meatotomy or meatoplasty — at the hospital. The surgery is performed by a urologist (a surgeon who specializes in the urinary system) and sometimes requires general anesthesia.

In most cases, surgery corrects the condition and the child is able to urinate without difficulty.

Keep in Mind

Meatal stenosis usually is detected early in a boy’s life and corrected through a minor outpatient procedure.

All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.