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Hypospadias for parents

Risk and complications of hypospadias surgery

Blood Test

How successful is hypospadias surgery in babies?

A hypospadias repair has a high rate of success. Most repairs last a lifetime, and  child’s penis will function normally and healthily.

Complications - Early

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Some early risks of hypospadias repair include:

  •  Anesthesia risks.

  • Healing problems.

    • Infection.

    • Mass of clotted blood (hematoma).

    • Swelling.

    • Bruising.

Carbine and Rope

Medium to long term complications

Image by Jackson Simmer
  • Wounds break down. The transplanted skin may not take to the new area.

  • Urethrocutaneous fistula. A urethrocutaneous (yer-ree-thro-cue-tay-nee-us) fistula is a hole that forms in the skin of your child's penis and is deep enough to reach their urethra. Pee may leak from a fistula. A fistula may form months or years after a hypospadias repair.

  • Urethral stricture. Scarring can narrow their urethra. A narrow urethra can affect how pee flows and create pressure on their kidneys, prostate, bladder and testicles (testes).

  • Urethral diverticulum. A bulge in their urethra forms a fluid-filled pouch.

  • Shortening of the penis. If you or your child has a hypospadias repair during puberty or post-puberty, their penis may get shorter.

  • Recurrent curvature of the penis. Sometimes after a procedure, their penis may return to its previous curved shape.

Other complications

 

  • Weak pee stream or pain when peeing.

  • Pain in testicles, sides or lower back.

  • Lumps or hard spots on the penis.

  • Discomfort during sex.

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Image by Bernd 📷 Dittrich
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