meatotomy

Splitting the urethra only to the base of the glans is called meatotomy.

A meatotomy can also result from a Prince Albert piercing being torn out.

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.

Very large gauge or heavy jewelry can cause thinning of the tissue between the urethral opening and the healed fistula creating an accidental meatotomy.

Genital bisection is an extension of a subincision, which is an extension of a meatotomy.

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.

In boys, it is treated by a second surgical procedure called meatotomy in which the meatus is crushed for 60 seconds with a straight mosquito hemostat and then divided with fine-tipped scissors.