Generally, hypospadias is a condition that is present in children. However, in some cases, it can also occur in adults. There are many treatment options available for hypospadias and hypospadias adult, including surgery, which can be a very effective treatment.
Symptoms of hypospadias in children
Symptoms of hypospadias in children include an abnormal opening on the penis, which makes it difficult to urinate normally. There are a number of ways in which the condition can be diagnosed.
One of the first things to look for is a hole in the underside of the penis. This is called the urethral meatus. The opening can be small, medium or large, and there may be a web of skin just beyond it.
If you notice a kink or bulge in the urethral opening, you should talk to your child’s health care provider. You should also let your doctor know if you notice any abnormal urination.
Most cases of hypospadias are mild. In these cases, your child may not need surgery. However, if your child’s symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend surgery to fix the defect.
Surgery is usually performed in one to two hours under general anesthesia. You may be able to go home that same day. Your doctor will instruct you on how to care for your baby after the procedure. If you have questions, you should talk to your doctor before the surgery.
After the surgery, your child may experience some pain. There may be some scarring or bruising on the penis for weeks. The wound will heal after six months.
Treatment options for hypospadias
Approximately one in every 300 boys will have a hypospadias. In most cases, repair is required to correct the defect.
Generally, the repair is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery places the hole in the proper location and straightens the penis. During the operation, a tourniquet is used to control blood loss. The surgeon will explain to the parents how to take care of the wounds. Antibiotics are usually administered during the operation.
The catheter is often left in the patient for a few days. This keeps urine from touching the fresh repair. This can help prevent infection.
After the repair, patients may have to undergo follow-up visits to check the progress. The surgeon will also teach the patients how to change their diapers and how to take care of the wound. The catheter will be removed in about 5 to 10 days.
In some cases, a child will need to have multiple surgeries to correct the problem. The procedure is generally successful. However, complications can occur, including fistulas, urinary tract infections, and calculi. In addition to these, some adults have to undergo reconstructive surgery to straighten the urethra.
Surgical treatment is usually completed after the child reaches four to six months of age. After the repair, the child will need to go to a pediatric urologist for follow-up.
Long-term effects of hypospadias repair
Despite the increasing number of surgical procedures for hypospadias, few studies have investigated long-term effects of hypospadias repair in adults. Although some studies report good functional and cosmetic outcomes, most focus on surgeon-assessed outcomes. The most common complications include wound infection, stricture formation, and fistula.
The success of hypospadias surgery depends on a number of factors, including the age of the patient, the type of hypospadias, and the number of operations. The rate of complications can range from 10.1 to 37.5% in adult patients.
The overall success of hypospadias repair is about 95%. However, the chances of favorable outcomes decrease with age. The success rate of secondary repair is about 71%.
The risk of complications is higher in adults with more than one operation. The average length of follow-up is about 102 months. The mean and standard deviation for patients were 2.9 years and 152 months, respectively.
