Shop E Store Hypospadias is a birth defect in boys where the opening of the urethra is below the penis. Find out how to treat this condition.
Hypospadias is a birth defect in boys in which the opening of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is below the penis rather than at the tip. This condition varies in severity depending on the exact location where it occurs. This abnormal urethral opening not only affects the appearance of the penis, but can also cause urinary problems in your baby. This condition can have other psychological and emotional effects as children grow up. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important when dealing with cases of this birth defect. In most cases, this condition requires surgical correction. Although this condition can be difficult for both babies and their families, remember that hypospadias can be successfully treated and most children with this condition grow up to lead normal, healthy lives. It is important to keep it.
What is hypospadias?
Hypospadias is a birth defect in boys in which the urinary opening is located on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip. This is usually associated with a downward curvature of the penis known as the Chordee. This is a common condition of varying severity and occurs in approximately 1 in 200 boys.
On the other hand, this condition is more commonly an isolated defect without other significant systemic problems. However, in a small number of cases, there may be an association with disorders of sexual development (DSD), hormonal, endocrine, or genetic disorders. The presence of cryptorchidism, severe symptoms, and other systemic symptoms should alert you to this possibility.
Types of hypospadias
The main types of symptoms are listed below, depending on the location of the urethral meatus.
- granular: Here, the urethral opening is not at the tip of the penis, but at the head. This is the mildest form of symptoms.
- coronal: In this case, the opening of the urethra is located directly below the head of the penis, where the head meets the shaft.
- subcoronal: Here, the urethral meatus is located slightly below the shaft of the penis.
- mid shaft: In this variation of hypospadias, the opening of the urethra is located along the middle of the shaft of the penis.
- penis scrotum: If the opening of the urethra is located at the junction of the penis and scrotum, it is a case of scrotal hypospadias.
- scrotum: In this case, the urethral opening is located in the scrotum.
- perineum: In the most severe form, the opening of the urethra is in the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).
Is hypospadias a serious problem?
Yes, untreated hypospadias causes problems such as urinary flow, curvature of the penis, erectile dysfunction, pain during erection, noticeably smaller penis size, and inability to have normal sexual relations. This is also true for some of the milder types of symptoms.
Treatment of hypospadias
Children with abnormal (ambiguous) genitalia at birth may be part of a life-threatening hormonal disorder and should be immediately seen by a doctor to confirm the child’s actual gender. there is. If other medical problems have been ruled out and isolated hypospadias in boys is diagnosed, only elective treatment is required. Even apparently mild symptoms require surgical correction because of the associated penile curvature and abnormal penile skin. Patients with mild symptoms usually undergo a single-stage surgery (called urethroplasty), while patients with severe symptoms undergo staged surgery. The ideal time for surgery is around 1 year of age.
If necessary, a second stage will be performed approximately 6 months later. Some children may require hormone therapy before surgery. Complications associated with surgery are known to increase as the child ages. Furthermore, technical aspects such as performing the surgery (in the hands of an expert), wound healing and postoperative management are much easier in late infancy. If the surgery is performed at an older age, the emotional distress for the child and their caregivers is even greater. We also know that uncorrected hypospadias is associated with severe psychological distress and peer group/social problems in older children and their parents.
Therefore, the key to the best results lies in performing the right surgery at the right age, in the right hands, and in the right hands. With the advent of better sutures and instruments, a better understanding of anatomy, and the specialization of suburethral surgery, outcomes have improved markedly over previous eras.
Treatment of untreated hypospadias in older children
Even in elderly patients, surgery can be performed with good postoperative outcomes if appropriate surgical correction is performed by skilled hands. Detailed preoperative planning, use of advanced surgical techniques, interdepartmental cooperation, and ensuring patient cooperation are key to the success of this scenario. Patients and families need appropriate education, psychological support, and guidance.
