Hypospadias Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Hypospadias is a rare birth defect that is commonly found in baby boys. In this condition, the urethra (or urinary canal) does not form correctly, and its opening is located somewhere apart from the tip of the penis. This can, in fact, happen anywhere, from just below the end of the penis all the way to the scrotum.

In other words, hypospadias is a congenital anomaly of the urethra where the urethral opening is not at the tip of the penis but somewhere along the shaft. Weeks eight to 14 of pregnancy are crucial for the development of the urethra in boys. If the urethra forms abnormally during this time, it can lead to hypospadias.

Furthermore, hypospadias repair (surgery) is a surgical procedure that is predominantly carried out to correct this birth defect in males. If the urethra does not end at the tip of the penis but rather on its underside, it can cause certain issues, including urinary function problems, and negatively affect a person's quality of life. This surgery can not only correct urinary function but also improve the appearance of a person's penis.

If your child is born with hypospadias, they may also be suffering from certain other conditions, including congenital penile curvature (also known as chordee) and penoscrotal transposition, which is basically a medical condition in which a baby boy's scrotum fails to form correctly and is located somewhere above their penis. Your child’s healthcare provider may need to correct one or all of these issues soon after their birth.

The healthcare provider of a child born with hypospadias may recommend a repair surgery between six months and two years after their birth. However, it is ultimately the parents' decision whether the child will have the repair surgery or not.

• A hypospadias repair is usually a one- or two-stage surgical procedure, depending on the severity of the condition. If a child has mild hypospadias, they will likely only require a one-stage hypospadias repair. It must be noted that one-stage hypospadias repair is a single operation.
• If your child has severe or penoscrotal hypospadias, they may require a two-stage hypospadias repair. A two-stage procedure involves two surgeries that are usually performed with a significant gap to treat the condition completely. During this procedure, the urologist may use skin from your child’s mouth to help create their new urethra.
• The first stage of the surgery involves disconnecting the urinary tract from the tissues surrounding the penis. The second stage is when the urethra is reconstructed and brought down to its correct position.
• The urologist may use skin from your child’s mouth to help create their new urethra during two procedures that are, in most cases, spaced at least six months apart. This surgery may help improve your child’s urinary function as well as their quality of life.

• Correction or reconstruction of the urethra
• Normal urination
• Normal ejaculation (in the future)
• Correction of the penis
• Straightening of the curvature (of the penis)
• Improved appearance of the genital area
• Improved quality of life

Hypospadias repair surgery is a life-changing procedure for many male babies born with hypospadias. Hypospadias can be defined as a birth defect where the urinary canal does not end at the tip of the baby's penis but rather on its underside (as mentioned above). This can cause certain urinary function issues and negatively affect the sufferer's quality of life.

So, hypospadias repair surgery is predominantly performed to correct the issues related to this rare condition in babies soon after their birth. The surgery improves urinary function and the appearance of the penis. It can have a profound impact on your baby's quality of life and his self-esteem throughout his life.

• Healing problems
• Bruising
• Infection
• Swelling
• Pain

Note: You can avoid most of the (above-mentioned) risks associated with hypospadias surgery by entrusting skilled and experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

Hypospadias repair surgery can be intimidating for many parents, as it is their child who will undergo the operation. They might have a lot of questions and concerns regarding the risks, results, and safety of both the surgery and anesthesia.

Anyone would totally understand that it is not at all easy for parents to hand over their young child for surgery. However, if the surgical team is professional and experienced, they will do everything to make sure your child is healthy and safe.

Most cases of hypospadias are detected at birth, and it's still a good idea to consult with a pediatric urologist or expert hypospadias surgeon as soon as possible. There's no set benchmark for how early you should consult a specialist, but it's generally advisable to do so within the first six months of your child's birth.

Furthermore, when the surgery is finally scheduled, consider arriving at the hospital at least 30 minutes prior to the time given to you by the healthcare provider. It is important that the cannula and blood tests be done once the child is settled in the hospital room.

You must reach the hospital early and request the allotment of a room and fulfill all the other formalities. Ask for hospital clothes for the baby and change the baby into those clothes once you have them. Once the child is settled, you can ask the doctor on call to attend to what is needed.

A pediatric anesthesiologist will sedate your child and put them under general anesthesia. So, the child won’t be waking up, won’t be moving, and won't even be feeling any pain during the procedure.

The pediatric urologist will then use a sharp, sterile knife, which is commonly known as a scalpel, to remove a part of the child’s foreskin—a piece of skin by which the head of their penis is covered. The foreskin will be used to form a tube, which will be attached to your child's urethra in order to make it longer. A longer urethra will allow the meatus (the opening of the urethra) to be moved to the tip of the child's penis.

The pediatric urologist or surgeon will typically insert a catheter (or stent) into the urethra of the child. A catheter is a hollow, soft tube usually made out of medical-grade rubber, silicone, or another material. It helps your child’s urethra by keeping its shape as it heals and also drains urine.

The stent may remain in your child's urinary canal for a few weeks or so after the hypospadias repair. Your child’s pediatric urologist may also make other repairs. Other procedures that may be required include:

• Urethroplasty: It is a surgery that repairs the urethra so that both urine and semen can flow out of the body effectively. This surgery is often performed on male patients who have been diagnosed with urethral stricture, a condition where the urethra becomes narrowed or blocked.
• Meatoplasty: Also known as glanuloplasty, it is a urological surgery in which a new opening is created for the urethra and the head of the penis (or glans) is reconstructed to fit the new opening.
• Scrotoplasty: It is a surgical procedure used primarily to repair the scrotum.

Finally, the pediatric urologist uses dissolvable stitches for the purpose of closing the cuts (or incisions). The advantage of dissolvable stitches is that they usually dissolve on their own within a couple of weeks.

To check for body parameters, a complete blood count and urine test are usually done. A pediatrician's consultation is often taken for a systemic examination.

However, if the chest examination is normal, a chest x-ray is no longer recommended routinely before the elective surgery.

Your child’s healthcare provider will also explain the entire procedure to you in an easy way so that you can understand all the important aspects. They may give you tips on keeping calm before the surgery, which will help your child relax. Tips may include paying attention to your facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice in front of your child on the day of surgery.

Your child may not be aware of the situation or have the vocabulary to express what he is feeling, but he is intuitive and will know how you are feeling from your non-verbal cues. So, you must keep in mind that the calmer and more relaxed you are before the procedure, the better your child's condition will be.

A hypospadias repair (surgery) will be performed by a special team of healthcare providers who specialize in children's medical care (pediatrics). The team may include a pediatric urologist, a pediatric anesthesiologist, and one or more pediatric nurses.

First of all, your child will be sedated with general anesthesia by their pediatric anesthesiologist. Once your child is asleep, the operation will begin. The medical team will be with your child every step of the way and make sure the procedure goes right.

• After a hypospadias repair, the healthcare provider will cover your child's stitches with bandages and secure the stent in place. The pediatric anesthesiologist will then stop administering the anesthesia used to keep your child asleep. Once the procedure is done, your child will be moved to a recovery room, where the hospital staff will wait for them to wake up so they can monitor their overall condition and health.
• The majority of hypospadias repair procedures are outpatient, so you can take your child home on the same day as their surgery. Once your child’s healthcare team has determined that they are healthy and no longer require monitoring, you will be able to take them home with you.
• Apart from that, the healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to help your child recover. Also, they may prescribe certain pain relief medications. It must be noted that it is important to follow these instructions closely, especially in the first week after surgery.

The cost of hypospadias repair surgery can differ depending on the city and hospital you choose in India, and it is also widely based on various other factors such as the complication of the case. However, it typically costs between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000.Further, it must be noted that the prices given above are to be used only as a reference. These figures may not reflect the precise cost of the procedure. So, if you need an accurate estimate, you always have the option of contacting our team of experts for a quote.

To avoid infection, remember to wash your hands with good-quality antibacterial soap and water before handling your child's bandages. If urine or feces get on the bandages, gently clean the area with warm, soapy water and pat the area dry.

The stent will constantly drain urine, so your child will require more frequent diaper changes. Moreover, it's okay to sponge bathe your child with warm water and soap. Just be careful around any affected areas and gently pat them dry.

Apart from all that, your child will also need to take it easy for a few weeks after hypospadias repair surgery to make sure everything heals properly. So, you must take very good care of them and look after them very carefully until you think they have completely recovered.

You can slowly start reintroducing your child to solid foods as their appetite begins to come back. It's important to give them lots of fluids like water, juice, and soup to keep them hydrated and their urine clear.

Some kids might feel nauseous or vomit from the anesthesia, but this should go away eventually. Most kids will be just fine. You just have to make sure they’re eating food they like so they don't get sick of it!

Hypospadias repair is a safe and common procedure with good results. A mild case of hypospadias usually requires one surgery, while more severe cases may require multiple surgeries.

Most children will feel the most discomfort in the first two to three days after having hypospadias repair surgery. However, every child's pain level is different. The doctor will prescribe certain pain medications or drugs after surgery to help ease the child's discomfort.

Additionally, your child may feel discomfort or pain when urinating after their healthcare provider removes the catheter. This is quite normal and should subside within a few days, but in some cases may take up to two weeks.

Hypospadias surgery generally requires a full 6 weeks of healing before your child can return to their normal activities. Your child may need a urinary catheter for 5 to 14 days after the surgery, and it is advisable to keep them home from school or daycare for at least a week until their provider removes the stent. It must be kept in mind that taking this time to recover is significant for ensuring a good and complete recovery.

• Anesthesia complications
• Bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Unfavorable scarring

Note: You can avoid most of the (above-mentioned) risks associated with hypospadias surgery by entrusting skilled and experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

It's important to keep your child's penis and other affected areas clean in order to prevent infection. Before handling your child's bandages, make sure your hands are clean. If urine or poop gets on the bandages, gently clean the area with warm, soapy water and pat the area dry.

The stent will constantly drain urine, so your child may require more frequent diaper changes. You can sponge bathe your child by using a loofah or washcloth with soap (or baby body wash) and warm water. Be careful to avoid any of their cuts, scrapes, or rashes. After giving a bath to your child, gently pat the affected areas and make them dry with a towel.

It is crucial that your child take it easy for a few weeks post-hypospadias repair in order to allow proper healing to occur. Many activities can be resumed by infants and toddlers after two to three weeks have passed, but avoid letting them swim or play in dirt, sand, or mud until they are completely healed, as this could lead to infection. Children who are a little older should steer clear of sports, biking, or any other type of physical activity for at least three weeks.

Hypospadias repair (surgery) is a surgical procedure that is predominantly carried out to correct this birth defect in males. Hypospadias is a congenital urologic birth defect that affects 1 in 125 males.

The condition is characterized by the urethra opening being located on the underside of the penis instead of at its tip. The severity of hypospadias can range from mild (the urethra opens just under the glans) to severe (the urethra opens outside the penis). The opening can be small or large and located near the tip, midshaft, or at the base of the penis.

After this surgery, the patient will have no more trouble urinating. The urethra is straightened, and the urinary opening is relocated to the tip of the penis. The surgery can be performed in three stages: the first one is done to correct the opening of the urethra; the second one is performed to correct the shape of the penis; and the third one is carried out to improve the appearance of the penis.

This surgery leaves no physical defects in the postoperative state. The patient can urinate properly, and almost in all cases, sexual intercourse is possible.In the end, we hope you found all of the information in this article useful. If you still have any unanswered questions regarding hypospadias repair surgery, we will be glad to answer them. Please feel free to get in touch with us at any time!