Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a congenital condition in boys occurring during development in the womb where the opening of the urethra, the tube that carries both urine and sperm outside of the body through the penis, is not in its normal position. While this opening should be at the tip of the penis, instead the opening is located on the underside of the penis.
Rest assured that if your son is born with this condition, Dr. Adam Kern and the team at Chesapeake Urology for Children are well versed in techniques to correct the problem. You will develop a long-term relationship with our pediatric urology team, from initial diagnosis and treatment through recovery and follow-up exams. Our team understands that this can be a stressful time for parents and will walk you through the process of treatment. Treatment involves surgery to correct the patient’s anatomy and help ensure normal development. The outlook for children who undergo hypospadias repair typically is very good, with the majority of cases resulting in a good cosmetic appearance and a fully functioning penis.
Diagnosing Hypospadias
Right after birth, your son will have a physical examination performed by the OB/GYN or pediatrician. In most cases, these physicians can identify the anatomical condition of hypospadias. You will be referred to a pediatric urologist who will determine the severity of the hypospadias and extent of the reconstruction needed. In some cases, the opening may be near the tip of the penis and, in more severe cases, the urethral opening may be located near the base of the penis or near the scrotum.
During your son’s initial physical exam, in addition to finding the urethral opening underneath the penis, the physician might also find that your son had associated conditions, such as:
- Chordee, or a downward curve of the penis
- A downward urine stream
- Extra foreskin, forming a “hood” over the back of the penis
- An abnormal appearance of the glans, or tip of the penis
Treatment for Hypospadias
The treatment for any form of hypospadias is surgery performed by Dr. Adam Kern, who is experienced in the condition as well as the complexity of the procedure itself. Surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure between 9 and 12 months of age. Dr. Kern and his team will sit with you to outline the procedure and what you can expect before, during, and after surgery.