Hypospadias 1 - What is it
Hypospadias is an abnormality of the penis. It affects about one in 150-350 boys and is usually detected at birth. There are different types of hypospadias.
- The opening of the urethra (where the urine comes from) is not at the end of the penis but is somewhere else along the penis (see the diagram below).
- The foreskin may be all at the back of the penis (“dorsal hood”) and may have none on the undersurface.
- The penis may not be straight (has a bend in it and this is called a “chordee”)
- There is not a straight stream of urine
Treatment
The treatment options depend on how severe the hypospadias is.
Investigations of the urinary tract are sometimes done to make sure that there are no other problems, especially when the abnormality is more severe.
Unless very mild, hypospadias is usually corrected by surgery to:
- Enable the boy to be able to stand to urinate with a straight stream of urine.
- Correct the bend - so it is not painful to get an erection.
- Make the penis look normal.
The age for correction is from 6-18 months of age, depending on a number of factors. You will need to discuss this with your surgeon.
It is advised that your child does not get circumcised before surgery. The foreskin may be used for the operation. After the surgery the penis can be made to look circumcised if parents choose.
Hypospadias surgery is a difficult area of surgery. It should be done by an experienced paediatric urologist.
More information
Please read the Kids Health Info factsheets:
- Hypospadias 1 - About
- Hypospadias 2 - Surgery & about catheters
- Hypospadias 3 - Care at home after repair
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Developed by the RCH Urology Department 2005. Updated June 2008 |