Before reading this section, please refer to General instructions after surgery in this section of the website.

Your child has just undergone meatotomy, a procedure to open the meatus (hole) at the tip of his penis to improve urinary flow and aim. This simple procedure typically produces an instantaneous improvement in the urinary stream. To maintain this result, the hard part begins- the treatment at home.

The most distressing side effect of meatotomy is not discomfort, though most boys report minor burning on urination for a day or two, but restenosis, or narrowing of the meatus. Without proper post-operative care, the original problem can rapidly recur.

Any wound on the body causes inflammation, and inflammation leads to scar formation. Because an incision is used to reopen the meatus, the resulting inflammation can lead to scarring or sticking of the wound edges. Diligent post-operative care is required to maintain the results of the surgery, especially during the first week after surgery.

Every time your child urinates, the meatus is forced open. Thus, the most important therapy is to encourage fluid intake. Fluid intake alone is inadequate, however, to avoid restenosis. Physically opening the meatus and applying ointment after urination is critical. We recommend Aquaphor, though if it not available, Vaseline may be used. Because Aquaphor is more viscous, it will stay on the meatus longer and help prevent adhesion. Do not use Bacitracin, Neosporin, or similar antibiotic ointments, as they can be irritating to the delicate lining of the urethra.

We like to see patients who have had a meatotomy soon after surgery to make sure that restenosis is not occurring. In our experience, parents are understandably timid about opening the meatus with their thumbs. By seeing the patients soon after surgery, we can often reverse the early tendency towards restenosis.