Study published in Clinical Pediatrics, Vol. 45, No. 1, 49-54 (2006). DOI: 10.1177/000992280604500108. Dr. Howe concluded, "Meatal stenosis may be the most common complication following neonatal circumcision. The frequency of this complication and the need for surgical correction need to be disclosed as part of the informed consent for neonatal circumcision." The study found 24 of 329 (7%) circumcised boys had meatal stenosis.

Unfortunately, meatal stenosis is rarely mentioned as a complication of circumcision. Meatal stenosis is a constriction or narrowing of the opening of the urethra at the external meatus. Symptoms include a visibly narrow opening at the meatus in boys, discomfort during urination, bleeding after urination, and urinary tract infections UTIs.

Meatal stenosis often requires meatotomy to resolve the symptoms. A meatotomy involves splitting the distal end of the glans to widen the opening of the meatus.