General Information About Hypospadias
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition during fetal development in the womb where the urinary channel does not close all the way to the tip of the penis, causing the urinary opening to end at a point further back on the underside of the penis, rather than at the tip.
The foreskin accumulates on the top of the penis while the underside is open (a half-circumcised appearance). Urine flows downwards rather than forward. There is a downward curvature (chordee) in the penis that becomes pronounced during erection.
Babies with hypospadias should absolutely not undergo a standard circumcision procedure. This is because the excess foreskin gathered at the top of the penis will be used as a graft (patch) by surgeons in the future to extend the urinary channel and create a new opening.
Besides the cosmetic deformity, it becomes impossible to urinate while standing. In later years, a healthy sexual relationship may not be possible due to penile curvature (chordee), and infertility may occur because sperm cannot be deposited in the correct location.
There is no need for any ultrasound or imaging. The diagnosis is made immediately upon the baby's birth through an external genital examination performed by a neonatologist or a urologist.
The most ideal period for surgery is between the 6th and 18th months, before the child starts toilet training and becomes aware of their sexual identity. In the surgery, the urinary channel is extended to the tip, the curvature is corrected, and the procedure is completed in a single session with a cosmetic repair using the foreskin.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
