Updated December 30, 2014.
Hypospadias is a male birth defect where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis but opens part way up. Hypospadias affects approximately 1 in every 150 to 300 male births with varying degrees of severity. Hypospadias is 21 per cent more likely to happen where another close family member has experienced the same defect.
Treatment of Hypospadias
Hypospadias is corrected surgically under a general anesthetic.
The type of surgery depends on the severity of the condition.
Because boys stand to urinate it is important that the urinary stream is easily controllable, lack of control due to hypospadias can lead to acute social embarrassment. This is one of the reasons that it is ideally treated in infancy, preferably between the ages of 8 to 18 months of age. Early surgical correction means that psychological trauma can be minimized. Small children are usually good healers and the parents can be shown the wound care that will be required post operatively. Click here for illustration of hypospadias repair
Sometimes a condition known as chordee, a bending of the penis on erection, may also be present, this can be corrected surgically during the operation for hypospadias. Recovery time depends on the severity of the problem and the complexity of the surgery. Mild cases can be treated on an out patient basis, sometimes in patient treatment may be required, especially where cordee presents in the same child or untreated adult.
Post operative care repair hypospadias
General Anesthetic side effects
As with any surgical procedure that requires a general anesthetic side effects can occur. The pre-operative care you or your child receives is an important part of the evaluation of safety and need for correction of hypospadias. Any possible complications will be explained by your anesthetist, pediatrician or genitor-urinary surgeon prior to the surgical procedure.
Post-operative bleeding following repair hypospadias
Any post operative bleeding should be reported to the surgeon or doctor in charge of post-operative care. Generally blood on the dressing the size of a small coin can be expected.
Post operative bladder spasm following repair hypospadias
Spasms of the bladder are sometimes experienced when an in-dwelling catheter is present. The doctor usually treats this with anti spasmodic medication, analgesia (pain killers) or sometimes with antibiotics.
Infection following repair hypospadias
Infection is a common side effect at the site of the surgery. This can be prevented or minimized by good hygiene of any post operative dressings or the skin site. Any redness, swelling or the presence of pus must be reported to the doctor. Sometimes in more severe cases of infection it may be treated with antibiotics.
Post operative urethral stenosis following repair hypospadias
This is a narrowing of the urethra that can occur post surgery but is rare. Passing urine may become difficult or impossible. Stenosis requires urgent medical attention.
Post operative fistula following repair hypospadias
A fistula is a hole that can open up in the newly formed urethra through which urine leaks. This will require a small surgical repair.
Hypospadias is a male birth defect where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis but opens part way up. Hypospadias affects approximately 1 in every 150 to 300 male births with varying degrees of severity. Hypospadias is 21 per cent more likely to happen where another close family member has experienced the same defect.
Treatment of Hypospadias
Hypospadias is corrected surgically under a general anesthetic.
The type of surgery depends on the severity of the condition.
Because boys stand to urinate it is important that the urinary stream is easily controllable, lack of control due to hypospadias can lead to acute social embarrassment. This is one of the reasons that it is ideally treated in infancy, preferably between the ages of 8 to 18 months of age. Early surgical correction means that psychological trauma can be minimized. Small children are usually good healers and the parents can be shown the wound care that will be required post operatively. Click here for illustration of hypospadias repair
Sometimes a condition known as chordee, a bending of the penis on erection, may also be present, this can be corrected surgically during the operation for hypospadias. Recovery time depends on the severity of the problem and the complexity of the surgery. Mild cases can be treated on an out patient basis, sometimes in patient treatment may be required, especially where cordee presents in the same child or untreated adult.
Post operative care repair hypospadias
General Anesthetic side effects
As with any surgical procedure that requires a general anesthetic side effects can occur. The pre-operative care you or your child receives is an important part of the evaluation of safety and need for correction of hypospadias. Any possible complications will be explained by your anesthetist, pediatrician or genitor-urinary surgeon prior to the surgical procedure.
Post-operative bleeding following repair hypospadias
Any post operative bleeding should be reported to the surgeon or doctor in charge of post-operative care. Generally blood on the dressing the size of a small coin can be expected.
Post operative bladder spasm following repair hypospadias
Spasms of the bladder are sometimes experienced when an in-dwelling catheter is present. The doctor usually treats this with anti spasmodic medication, analgesia (pain killers) or sometimes with antibiotics.
Infection following repair hypospadias
Infection is a common side effect at the site of the surgery. This can be prevented or minimized by good hygiene of any post operative dressings or the skin site. Any redness, swelling or the presence of pus must be reported to the doctor. Sometimes in more severe cases of infection it may be treated with antibiotics.
Post operative urethral stenosis following repair hypospadias
This is a narrowing of the urethra that can occur post surgery but is rare. Passing urine may become difficult or impossible. Stenosis requires urgent medical attention.
Post operative fistula following repair hypospadias
A fistula is a hole that can open up in the newly formed urethra through which urine leaks. This will require a small surgical repair.