Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly of the male urethra that results in an abnormal situation of the urethral meatus (or urethral opening). The location of the displaced urethral meatus can vary anywhere on the penis (on the glans penis, shaft, scrotum, or perineum). It is one of the most common congenital anomalies, with an incidence of approximately 0.5% in live-born males. The diagnosis of hypospadias is usually made during the physical examination of the newborn.
The following physical findings are consistent with the diagnosis. • Abnormal foreskin resulting in incomplete closure around the glans resulting in the appearance of a hooded dorsal foreskin. • Abnormal curvature of the penis ("rope") • Ectopic urethral meatus
The goal of surgical correction is to create a penis with normal function and appearance with a urethral opening as close to the tip of the penis as possible.
The general consensus within the pediatric urology community is to perform surgery between six months and one year of age in healthy, full-term infants. This timing, which is consistent with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), allows sufficient time to complete a two-stage procedure in patients with severe hypospadias before the start of gender identification. In general, six months is the minimum time necessary between procedures to ensure complete wound healing after the initial surgery.