Our Summary

Hypospadias is a common issue that affects the urinary and reproductive system, with a variety of ways it can present itself and different levels of severity. The main goal when treating hypospadias is to make the penis look and function normally again. This can be done at any age, but it’s usually best to do it when the patient is between 6 and 18 months old. There’s a lot of information about the look and function of the penis after treatment, but not a lot about how it affects a person’s sex life and ability to have children in the long term. In this review, we’ve collected and looked at information about these long term outcomes of treating hypospadias. We hope this information will help doctors and parents of boys with hypospadias make informed decisions about treatment and understand potential future concerns regarding sex and fertility.

FAQs

  1. What is the primary aim of hypospadias repair?
  2. At what age is it recommended to correct hypospadias?
  3. What are the long-term outcomes of hypospadias repair in terms of sexuality and fertility?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about hypospadias repair is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and optimal outcomes. This may include keeping the area clean, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It is also important to discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider to ensure the best possible results from the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended hypospadias repair include:

  1. Infants and young children between 6 and 18 months of age: Early correction of hypospadias is recommended to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic outcomes.

  2. Patients with severe hypospadias: Patients with severe forms of hypospadias, such as penoscrotal or perineal hypospadias, may require surgical correction to improve penile function and appearance.

  3. Patients experiencing urinary or sexual dysfunction: Hypospadias repair may be recommended for patients experiencing difficulties with urination or sexual function due to the abnormality.

  4. Patients with cosmetic concerns: Some patients may seek hypospadias repair for cosmetic reasons, to improve the appearance of the penis.

  5. Patients with future fertility concerns: While the long-term effects of hypospadias repair on fertility are still unclear, patients with concerns about future fertility may be recommended for surgical correction to potentially improve outcomes.

Overall, the decision to undergo hypospadias repair should be made in consultation with a urologist, taking into consideration the individual patient’s age, severity of the abnormality, functional concerns, and future fertility considerations.

Timeline

Before hypospadias repair:

  • Diagnosis of hypospadias is made during infancy or early childhood
  • Consultation with a pediatric urologist to discuss treatment options
  • Pre-operative evaluations and tests may be conducted to assess the severity of the condition
  • Surgery is scheduled for correction of hypospadias

After hypospadias repair:

  • Post-operative care includes monitoring for complications and ensuring proper healing
  • Follow-up appointments with the urologist to evaluate the success of the surgery
  • Long-term follow-up to monitor for any potential issues with penile function or appearance
  • Counseling and education for the patient and family on post-operative care and potential future concerns related to sexuality and fertility.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of the hypospadias repair surgery?
  2. What is the expected recovery time after the surgery?
  3. Will my child need any additional surgeries or treatments in the future?
  4. How will the surgery affect my child’s sexual function in the long term?
  5. Will the surgery affect my child’s fertility in the future?
  6. Are there any special considerations or precautions we should take regarding my child’s sexual and reproductive health after the surgery?
  7. How often will my child need follow-up appointments after the surgery?
  8. Are there any lifestyle changes or restrictions my child will need to follow after the surgery?
  9. Are there any resources or support groups available for parents of children with hypospadias?
  10. What is the success rate of hypospadias repair surgery in terms of both functional and cosmetic outcomes?

Reference

Authors: Gul M, Hildorf S, Silay MS. Journal: Int J Impot Res. 2021 Mar;33(2):149-163. doi: 10.1038/s41443-020-00377-5. Epub 2020 Dec 1. PMID: 33262531