Meatotomy
Encyclopedia
A meatotomy is a form of penile modification in which the underside of the glans
is split. The procedure may be performed by a doctor to alleviate meatal stenosis
or urethral stricture
.
for 60 seconds with a straight Kelly hemostat
and then divide crush line with fine-tipped scissors. Other techniques include cauterisation, cutting with a scalpel (sometimes aided by clamps) or by using existing fistulas from piercings to tie-off the area to be cut. Depending on the anatomy of the individual and the extent of the split, meatotomy performed with a scalpel may involve heavy bleeding, while crush and cauterisation methods are relatively bloodless. Regardless of the procedure used, meatotomies, like other genital modifications and genital piercing
s, heal quickly. Unlike other genital modifications, the glans tissue does not have a tendency to re-adhere to itself or heal closed.
A meatotomy may be extended to subincision
or genital bisection
, which are both much more complex and serious modifications.
Repair of a meatotomy can be painful and difficult, and is similar to hypospadias
repair.
Glans penis
The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...
is split. The procedure may be performed by a doctor to alleviate meatal stenosis
Meatal stenosis
Urethral meatal stenosis or urethral stricture is a narrowing of the opening of the urethra at the external meatus , thus constricting the opening through which urine leaves the body from the urinary bladder....
or urethral stricture
Urethral stricture
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by injury or disease such as urinary tract infections or other forms of urethritis.-Signs and symptoms:...
.
Procedure
A variety of techniques may be used to make the cut, but a doctor will generally crush the ventral meatus, urethra, and upper frenulumFrenulum of prepuce of penis
The word frenulum on its own is often used for the frenulum of prepuce of penis, which is an elastic band of tissue under the glans penis that connects to the prepuce, or foreskin to the vernal mucosa, and helps contract the prepuce over the glans. This is sometimes colloquially known as the "banjo...
for 60 seconds with a straight Kelly hemostat
Hemostat
A hemostat , is a vital surgical tool used in almost any surgical procedure, usually to control bleeding. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see the initial incision lined with hemostats closing blood vessels awaiting ligation during the initial phases of surgery...
and then divide crush line with fine-tipped scissors. Other techniques include cauterisation, cutting with a scalpel (sometimes aided by clamps) or by using existing fistulas from piercings to tie-off the area to be cut. Depending on the anatomy of the individual and the extent of the split, meatotomy performed with a scalpel may involve heavy bleeding, while crush and cauterisation methods are relatively bloodless. Regardless of the procedure used, meatotomies, like other genital modifications and genital piercing
Genital piercing
Genital piercing is a form of body piercing and is considered a form of body modification. It involves piercing a part of the genitalia and subsequently inserting and keeping a foreign object in the opening until the wound heals. This forms a tunnel of skin around the foreign object, thus creating...
s, heal quickly. Unlike other genital modifications, the glans tissue does not have a tendency to re-adhere to itself or heal closed.
A meatotomy may be extended to subincision
Subincision
Penile subincision is a form of body modification consisting of a urethrotomy, in which the underside of the penis is incised and the urethra slit open lengthwise, from the urethral opening toward the base...
or genital bisection
Genital bisection
Genital bisection in males involves the splitting of the penis . This still allows for erection, though often the two halves curve into each other, making insertion more difficult....
, which are both much more complex and serious modifications.
Effects
Aside from the exposure of previously internal tissues, the newly enlarged urethral opening may hinder the ability to control the direction and shape of one's urine stream. This may result in messy urination and require that the meatotomized individual sit while urinating; however, this is not universally true. The larger urethral opening may also reduce the velocity of ejaculate, thereby reducing distance of ejaculation.Repair of a meatotomy can be painful and difficult, and is similar to hypospadias
Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a birth defect of the urethra in the male that involves an abnormally placed urinary meatus...
repair.