Pediatric Urology (Hypospadias Repair)
Introduction
Pediatric urology is the area of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder and genital diseases in children. One of the most common congenital urological conditions is hypospadias, which affects the positioning of the urethral opening in male infants. Surgeons establish hypospadias repair as a procedure to treat this and prevent abnormalities of urinary and reproductive development.
What is Hypospadias Repair?
Hypospadias repair is a surgical treatment to correct the abnormal position of the urethral orifice in males. In this disorder, the urethra is rudimentary with a fistula at the base of the penis rather than at the tip. Surgeons routinely perform surgery in infancy or early childhood, and they aim to restore normal function and appearance of the mutant portion of the head.
Why is Hypospadias Repair Needed?
- To allow normal urination and avoid spraying
- To improve cosmetic appearance
- To enable normal sexual function in adulthood
- To avoid complications, including urogenital infections (UGIs) and fistulae.
Types of Hypospadias Repair
- Distal Hypospadias Repair
- The most common one is urethra opening correction concerning the glans penis.
- Simple surgical techniques are used for restoration.
- Proximal Hypospadias Repair
- Complex since the urethral opening is progressively moved distally on the shaft or near the scrotum itself.
- Often requires multiple surgical stages.
- Tubularized Incised Plate (TIP) Urethroplasty
- One of the most broadly adopted methods in moderate cases.
- It involves straightening and repositioning the urethral opening.
Procedure Steps
- Preoperative Evaluation: Physical examination, imaging, and blood tests.
- Anesthesia Administration: The medical team administers general anesthesia for a painless procedure.
- Tissue Grafting: Surgeons harvest tissue if necessary from the foreskin or other areas of the body.
- Urethral Reconstruction: The surgeon repositions and reshapes the urethral opening.
- Stent Placement: The physician may place a catheter to aid healing.
- Post-Surgical Monitoring: Regular check-ups and care instructions are provided.
Benefits of Hypospadias Repair
- Restores normal urinary function
- Improves penile appearance and alignment
- Reduces risk of infections and urinary difficulties
- Enables normal reproductive health
Cost of Hypospadias Repair
- USA: $10,000 – $30,000
- UK: $8,000 – $20,000
- India: $2,500 – $6,000
- Thailand: $4,000 – $8,000
- Turkey: $5,000 – $10,000
Best Hospitals in India for Hypospadias Repair
- Metro Hospital Faridabad
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
Risks and Complications
- Infection at the surgical site
- Urethral fistula formation
- Scar tissue leading to urethral strictures
- Cosmetic concerns requiring further corrections
Recovery
- Hospital stay: 1-2 days
- Full recovery: 2-4 weeks
- Avoid strenuous activities for a month
- Follow-up visits required to monitor healing
