MEATOTOMY: A SIMPLE METHOD

Abstract

Now that the fact is being more universally recognized that many of the chronic urethral discharges are due to more or less extensive infiltrations of the urethral mucous membrane, and that these infiltrations can be removed only by sufficient dilatation to restore the caliber of the urethra to its normal dimnsios, the operation of meatotomy assumes a more important aspect. There are many methods for performing this minor operation, but those described in the text-books and recent medical literature have many objectionable features. The idea in all of these methods is to control the hemorrhage at the time of the operation, as well as subsequently, by the employment of caustics and styptics and by the use of plugs and other mechanical contrivances to keep the lips of the meatus apart, thus preventing union of the cut surfaces. In our experience, we have found that styptics and caustics invariably leave an