HYPOSPADIAS

Hypospadias is a birth defect or a congenital condition. When a patient suffers from this condition, the opening of their urethra is on the underside of their penis instead of at the tip of it.

In the human body, the urethra is a tube that helps your body drain urine through the bladder. 

In infants, this condition is quite common and does not lead to any difficulty in treating your young one. The best treatment is surgery, which restores the normal appearance of your child’s penis. With successful surgery, most males can undergo normal reproduction and urination.

In hypospadias, the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis, instead of the tip. Mostly, the opening of the urethra is within the head of the penis. Rarely, the opening of the urethra is at the middle of the base. And in very rare cases, the opening is below the scrotum. 

A few signs and symptoms of hypospadias: –

1. Opening of the urethra at a location other than the tip of the penis;
2. The downward curve of the penis (chordee);
3. A hooded appearance of the penis because only the upper half of the penis is covered by the foreskin;
4. Abnormal spraying during urination.

Most infants are diagnosed with this condition at birth, while in the hospital. A slight shift in the position of the urethra’s opening is trickier to identify than a prominent one. 

If not treated in time this condition can lead to: – 

1. Difficulties in learning to use the toilet;
2. An abnormal curve of the penis;
3. Impaired ejaculation; and 
4. Abnormal appearance of the penis.

The types of this condition depend on the location of the urethra’s opening: – 

1. Subcoronal: – Opening is near the head of the penis.
2. Midshaft: – Opening is along the shaft of the penis.
3. Penoscrotal: – The opening is near the meeting point of the penis and scrotum.

The reason why surgery for Hypospadias is necessary is that it restores the proper position of the urethra’s opening, and helps the baby’s genitals develop normally. Babies with Hypospadias should not be circumcised, as the surgeon may use the extra foreskin to repair this condition. 

The urologist during surgery: – 

1. Straightens the shaft of the penis.
2. Builds a new urethra.
3. Positions the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis.
4. Rebuilds the foreskin.