Health Encyclopedia

Hypospadias repair

Definition

Hypospadias repair is surgery to correct a birth defect in boys in which the urethra does not properly exit the tip of the penis.

For information on the condition itself, see: Hypospadias.

Description

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

A small piece of foreskin, or tissue from another site, can be used to create a tube to extend the length of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that releases urine from the body. Extending the length allows an opening to be placed at the tip of the penis.

Circumcision should not be performed at birth in boys with hypospadias, so that the foreskin can later be used for the repair.

Indications

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

Surgical repair is not needed if the condition does not affect normal standing urination, sexual function, or the deposit of semen.

Risks

The most common complication is swelling of the penis. This swelling usually goes away within a few days.

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Breathing problems
Reactions to medications

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Expectations after surgery

The patient usually does well after surgery. Several operations may be needed.

Convalescence

Immediately after surgery, the penis is securely taped to the abdomen so that it does not move. Medications may be given to relieve pain. The child is encouraged to drink fluids to maintain urine output, which avoids pressure on the urethra.

In general, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. A urinary catheter may be needed for a while after the operation.

After leaving the hospital, the child should continue drink lots of fluids to promote frequent urination. Strenuous activity should be avoided until the would fully heals.

Review Date:11/2/2007
Reviewed By:Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.