Does your son have hypospadias? Let's talk about this surgery.

While changing your new baby's diaper, have you noticed any changes in his genitals? You may have noticed that the urethra is not at the tip of the penis, but a little lower. Don't worry about this. This is a medical condition that is common among boys . Today we are going to talk about this condition called 'Hypospadias' and the surgery that can correct it.

What is Hypospadias?

Simply put, hypospadias is a condition that is present at birth. Normally, a boy's urethra, the tube through which urine and sperm exit, ends at the tip of the penis . This opening through which urine exits is called the meatus.

However, in a child with hypospadias, this urethral opening (`meatus`) is located in a different place. That is:

• Below (`Subcoronal`) near the tip (head) of the penis.
• In the middle of the shaft of the penis (`Midshaft`).
• The place where the penis and testicles meet (`Penoscrotal`).

Some children may also experience a downward curve in the penis when it is erect, known as a 'chordee'. Therefore, doctors also correct this curvature when performing hypospadias surgery.

Is this surgery necessary for everyone?

This is a question that many parents have. Surgery is not always necessary. It depends on the severity of the child's condition. This surgery has two main purposes:

1. Bring the urethral opening to the tip of the penis so that the child can urinate while standing upright without any difficulty.

2. Preparing the penis so that it can ejaculate without any problems during sexual life in the future.

If your child has very mild hypospadias (for example, if the urethra is very close to the tip), surgery may not be necessary. This is best decided by you and your doctor together.

What happens before the surgery?

Before the surgery, you and your child will meet with a pediatric urologist . The doctor will do the following:

• Checking the child's general health: Checking things like fever, pulse, and blood pressure .
• Physical examination: Your child's penis will be examined to find the exact location of the urethra. You will be asked about the speed of the urine stream, the direction of the urine flow, and whether there is any leakage.
• Other tests if necessary: ​​Sometimes a test such as a cystoscopy may be done to check for any blockages in the urinary tract.

Your role as parents

There are some important things you need to tell your doctor at this time:

• Tell your child about any medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) they are taking.
• Inform your child about any allergies they may have.
• If the condition is a little more serious, the doctor may recommend testosterone hormone injections to slightly enlarge the penis before surgery. This will help with the success of the surgery.

How is the surgery done?

This surgery is performed by a team of pediatric specialists. Since the child is completely anesthetized (general anesthesia), he or she does not feel any pain.

The surgeon first takes a small piece of the child's foreskin and uses it to create a new urethra. The urethra is then brought to the tip of the penis through this new tube.

After the surgery, a catheter or stent will be placed through the newly created urethra to keep it from getting blocked until it heals. This will need to be left in place for one to two weeks. As urine flows out through this tube, the diaper will often be wet.

Finally, the wound is closed using dissolvable stitches. This surgery can usually take about 2-3 hours.

Are there any risks and complications after surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some minor risks, but these are very rare.

The risk of complications is very low. The surgery has a very high success rate . Most children can live a healthy life without any problems.

How to take care of a child at home?

The child may feel a little tired after the surgery. The child needs to be looked after very carefully for the first few weeks.

• Cleanliness: Keep the area around the wound as clean as possible to prevent infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after changing diapers.
• Changing diapers: The catheter causes frequent urine leaks. So, you have to change your diapers more often than usual . Sometimes, the doctor will tell you to wear two diapers (one for the catheter, and the other for stool).
• Bathing: Do not put your baby in a tub of water until advised by your doctor. Wipe the body with a damp cloth (Sponge bath).
• Activity restrictions: If your child is old enough to run and play, avoid riding a bike, running, and jumping for 2-3 weeks.

If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

If you notice any of the following while at home after surgery, call your doctor or the hospital immediately .

Most children recover completely by about 6 weeks. The child may feel some pain when urinating for the first few days after the catheter is removed, but this will gradually decrease.

Hypospadias, Hypospadias, Male Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Urethral Tract, Birth Defects, Pediatrics, Chordee, Urethra, Pediatric Urology