Our Summary

The research paper discusses a surgical technique used to repair a condition called hypospadias, which is a birth defect in boys where the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, rather than at the tip. The study looked at 25 patients between 2007 and 2018, all of whom were adolescents who had undergone a hypospadias repair during their childhood. However, these patients were still experiencing problems related to the absence or deficiency of a part of the penis called the corpus spongiosum.

The main issues the patients reported were an abnormal flow of urine such as spraying or dripping (10 out of 25 patients), swelling of the urethra during urination and dripping after urination (15 out of 25), and recurrent urinary tract infections (8 out of 25).

The surgical procedure involved repairing the corpus spongiosum and reshaping the urethra. In some patients, the spongiosum was fixed and could not be moved to provide a tension-free closure, in these cases, a flap of tissue from the scrotum was used to cover the urethral wall and was sewn on either side to the spongiosum.

After the surgery, patients were followed up for a period between 18 months and 7 years. The results were positive with 24 out of 25 patients reporting a normal flow of urine, no swelling during urination, and no or minimal dripping after urination. The surgery also corrected a mild curvature of the penis in all 4 patients who had it. One patient developed a complication and declined further surgery.

The study concludes that failure to recognize and correct the deficiency of the corpus spongiosum during the original hypospadias repair in childhood can lead to symptoms in adolescence, but these can be successfully fixed with surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is hypospadias and how is it repaired?
  2. What were the common issues reported by patients who had undergone hypospadias repair in childhood?
  3. What were the results and conclusions of the study on hypospadias repair conducted between 2007 and 2018?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hypospadias repair is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. This may include keeping the surgical site clean, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It is also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for hypospadias repair are boys who are born with this birth defect. In this particular study, the patients were adolescents who had previously undergone hypospadias repair during childhood but were still experiencing problems related to the absence or deficiency of the corpus spongiosum. These patients were experiencing issues such as abnormal urine flow, swelling of the urethra, dripping after urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections.

It is important for patients with hypospadias to be monitored closely after their initial repair surgery to ensure that any issues related to the corpus spongiosum deficiency are addressed promptly. If these issues persist into adolescence or adulthood, further surgical intervention may be necessary to correct them.

Timeline

Before hypospadias repair:

  • Patient is born with hypospadias, a birth defect where the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis
  • Patient may experience abnormal flow of urine, swelling of the urethra, and recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Patient undergoes initial hypospadias repair surgery during childhood

After hypospadias repair:

  • Patient experiences ongoing issues related to the absence or deficiency of the corpus spongiosum, such as abnormal urine flow, swelling during urination, and dripping after urination
  • Patient undergoes surgical procedure to repair the corpus spongiosum and reshape the urethra
  • Patient is followed up for a period between 18 months and 7 years post-surgery
  • Results show improvement in urine flow, reduction in swelling during urination, and minimal dripping after urination
  • Surgery successfully corrects symptoms, with only one patient experiencing a complication and declining further surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hypospadias repair include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgical repair of hypospadias?
  2. What is the expected outcome of the surgery in terms of correcting urine flow, swelling, and other symptoms?
  3. How long is the recovery process expected to take, and what can I expect in terms of post-operative care?
  4. Will there be any long-term effects or considerations to keep in mind after the surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatment options available for hypospadias repair?
  6. How experienced is the surgical team in performing this specific type of hypospadias repair?
  7. Will further follow-up appointments be necessary after the surgery, and if so, how often?
  8. What measures can be taken to prevent complications or recurrent urinary tract infections after the surgery?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions that I should take following the surgery to ensure optimal results?
  10. How soon after the surgery can normal activities, such as bathing or exercise, be resumed?

Reference

Authors: Ali D, Hanna MK. Journal: J Pediatr Urol. 2021 Dec;17(6):814.e1-814.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.08.019. Epub 2021 Sep 2. PMID: 34711510