Hypospadias Repair
Definition
Hypospadias repair is surgery to correct a birth defect in boys called hypospadias. This is a condition in which the urethra does not properly exit the penis at the tip.
Hypospadias can be a mild defect (with the urethral opening slightly out of place, near the tip of the penis) or severe (with the urethral opening closer to the scrotum). Hypospadias is also frequently associated with a shortening or downward bending of the penis and malformation of the foreskin.
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Overview & Description
Surgical repair of hypospadias is done while the child is unconscious and pain-free (using general anesthesia). The type of repair depends on the severity of the defect. Mild defects may be repaired in a single 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 urethral length to allow placement of the urethral opening 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.
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