hypospadias

Hypospadias (hi-po-spay-dee-us)

Hypospadias is a congenital condition meaning you’re born with it. There is abnormal development of the urethra (pee channel inside penis). The opening of the urethra is called the meatus (me-ate-us) and the meatus is typically situated at the tip of the penis.

In a baby with hypospadias, their meatus forms in a different location. It may form:

• Near the head of their penis – coronal / subcoronal
• Under their penile shaft – distal /midshaft
• Where their penis and scrotum meet – penoscrotal
• Close to the anus – scrotoperineal

If your child has hypospadias, they may also have congenital penile curvature (chordee) and penoscrotal transposition (a condition in which their scrotum forms above their penis). Hypospadias surgery is usually performed by urologists who are specialist surgeons trained in the evaluation and management of genitourinary disorders. Your child’s urologist may need to correct these conditions as well if present.

Hypospadias (hi-po-spay-dee-us) repair is the surgical correction of the congenital condition known as hypospadias. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be performed in either a single operation or may require two or three procedures to achieve the desired outcome of a normal-looking penis.

The actual position of the meatus (pee hole) underneath the penile shaft is the tip of the iceberg. There are other factors to be evaluated and considered in the evaluation and management of your child in order to arrive at a proper outcome.