Hypospadias repair

Definition:

Surgery to repair a birth defect of the male urination tube (urethra). The normal male urethral opening is at the tip or end of the penis. A defect in which the urethral opening is on the underside of the penis instead of on the tip is called a hypospadias. Hypospadias may be a mild defect (with the urethral opening slightly out of place, near the tip of the penis) or severe (with the urethral opening farther up the shaft of the penis). Hypospadias frequently includes a shortening or bending under of the penis.

Description:

Surgical repair of hypospadias is done while the child is deep asleep and pain-free (using general anesthesia). The type of repair depends on the severity of the defect. Mild defects may be repaired in a single procedure, while severe defects may require two or more procedures.

A small piece of foreskin can be used to create a tube to extend the urethral length to allow placement of the urethral opening at the tip of the penis. Circumcision should NOT be performed at birth so that the foreskin can be used for the repair.

Indications:

Hypospadias is one of the most common birth defects seen in infant boys. Surgery is necessary to allow normal urination, to correct the penis deformity, and to ensure normal sexual functioning. The repair is performed before the child reaches school age.