Normal Size of the Urethral Meatus in Uncircumcised Boys
摘要
OBJECTIVE: To determine a reference value for diagnosing meatal stenosis and for reconstructing neourethra the size of normal urethral meatus in uncircumcised boys is investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We calibrated the size of the urethral meatus by sounding in 88 uncircumcised boys who were admitted for surgery of diseases unrelated to the urethra. Circumcised boys were excluded from the study. The size of the urethral meatus was defined as the largest size of a sounding of which the thick straight portion was inserted into the urethra. RESULTS: The sizes of the meatus in boys aged 0 years was 11.6±0.8 F; 1-2 was 11.5±1.4 F; 3-4 was 12.6±2.1 F; 5-6 was 12.6±2.4 F; 7-8 was 13.5±1.4 F; 9-10 was 13.0±2.1 F; 11-12 was 15.2±1.8 F and 13-14 was 17.3±4.2 F, respectively. It varied greatly after age 12 years. No value of the meatus was smaller than 10 F. Of boys aged 0-3 and 4-10 years, 38.4% and 22.6% had a meatus of 10 F. Of boys aged 0-3, 4-10, and 11-12 years, the meatus was usually equal to or larger than 10 F, 12 F, and 14 F, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The size of the meatus increases with age. The normal minimal size of the urethral meatus in uncircumcised boys is 10 F.