Is meatal stenosis so important as to discourage neonatal circumcision?

Introduction: Circumcision is proposed as the world’s oldest and most controversial operation and meatal stenosis as the most common complication of neonatal circumcision. Published studies in Iran are deficient regarding this complication. This research shows the rate of meatal stenosis in children less than one year in Birjand-Iran. Methods: This descriptive study incorporated all children younger than 12 months who had normal penile anatomy and were circumcised using the plastic disposable device by one urologist from March 2005 to January 20th, 2009. Children were examined 14 days after circumcision. Parents of the children were subsequently called for meatal stenosis screening. Those that had symptoms were examined in the office, and their urine flow was observed. Results: During the study period, 518 children (mean age: 47.6 ± 2.7 days) were circumcised. Operation time for circumcision was 4 ± 0.8 minutes. Mean follow-up period was 26.5 ± 11.5 (8-55) months. A total of 12 (2.3%) children had meatal stenosis. Conclusions: Meatal stenosis was the most common complication of circumcision in this study. There is a need for more research on the prevention of this complication.