Hypospadias is a common issue in babies born with a poorly functioning penis, affecting the sperm’s ability to fertilize eggs. The opening can vary within the penis, scrotum, or perineum and can be treated with surgery. The location of the opening can affect sperm fertilization and cleanliness, potentially causing issues with sitting and directing sperm inside a woman. Early correction can help prevent complications and ensure a healthy baby boy’s future.
Furthermore, hypospadias can cause the skin fold on top of the penis to develop improperly, changing the penis’ appearance. Hypospadias surgery tries to alleviate these issues by restoring a normal excreting urethra, enhancing penile cosmesis, and reducing complications. We will look at the symptoms, causes, and risks of hypospadias and several surgical options for treating it.
The Difficulties of Hypospadias Surgery in Young Adults And Teens
Hypospadias is a common congenital disease in boys that is usually corrected during childhood. Children are usually treated for hypospadias within six months to a year. Delayed treatment can result in significant problems later in life. Finding experienced surgeons for older patients might be difficult because most doctors specialize in infants. Hypospadias left untreated can lead to bleeding, swelling, prolonged pain, and healing time. There are hypospadias surgery adults and also for young boys.
What Causes Hypospadias?
Doctors aren’t sure why some boys have hypospadias, as they are with many other birth abnormalities. Some of the causes they believe could be:
- Infertility treatments. The mother may have taken hormone therapy or medication to assist them in becoming pregnant.
- Genetics. It is more likely if the boy has a father or brother who was born with it. It is also linked to several genetic disorders.
- The age and weight of the mother. If a mother is overweight and over the age of 35 or had diabetes before pregnancy, her child is more likely to be born with hypospadias.
- Premature
- Pesticide exposure or tobacco use
How Do You Know If A Child Has Hypospadias?
During a typical postnatal exam, doctors can detect hypospadias by checking your baby’s penis. Most of the time, it’s evident that the opening is in an improper spot. The doctor will advise you to postpone circumcision and refer you to a urologist.
In some cases, the penis also curls downward, a condition known as chordee. It is seen during an erection.
What Happens During the Surgery?
If the entrance is at the tip, the penis usually works well enough to leave it alone. However, many hypospadias instances necessitate surgery to relocate the urethra and opening. This treatment frequently involves straightening the penis. The aim of surgical correction is to develop a penis that functions and looks normal, with a urethral opening as close to the ventral tip of the penis as possible. When erection occurs, surgical treatment should result in a properly directed urine stream and a straightened penis.
Doctors patch the opening with skin from the foreskin or elsewhere on the body. Your doctor will most likely not circumcise your son but will instead keep the foreskin intact for this purpose. Children that get this procedure are usually between the ages of 3 and 18 months. During the surgery, the child is sedated and not awake.
If doctors miss your son’s hypospadias, it can still be cured later. The direction their pee comes out typically reveals it. Surgery to correct this condition has a high success rate. It also helps adults with the condition but is more challenging and less prevalent.
Conclusion
Hypospadias treatment depends on the defect, and surgery is typically required between 3-18 months old. Stages may be used, and repairs may include urethra opening, penis curve correction, and skin repair. A baby boy with hypospadias should not be circumcised due to potential foreskin use.