Unspecified urethral stricture, male, meatal

This code describes a narrowing of the urethra in a male patient, specifically at the meatus (the external opening), where the underlying cause of the stricture is not documented. It indicates an obstruction to urine flow originating at the distal-most portion of the urethra.

Use this code when documentation specifies a meatal urethral stricture in a male, but the etiology (e.g., traumatic, infectious, iatrogenic) is not identified. This code is appropriate for initial diagnosis when further investigation into the cause is pending or when the cause remains unknown after workup.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "meatal" and "male" for accurate specificity.
• Avoid using this code if the cause of the stricture is known; instead, select a more specific code from the N35.x series.
• Do not use for strictures in other parts of the urethra (e.g., bulbar, penile) or for female patients.