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eMedicine Journal > Pediatrics > Urology
Hypospadias

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: hypospadias, chordee, penile deformity
Author Information | Introduction | Clinical | Differentials | Workup | Treatment | Follow-up | Test Questions | Pictures | Bibliography

AUTHOR INFORMATION Section 1 of 10    Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Authored by John M Gatti, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University of Missouri School of Medicine; Assistant Professor, Director, Minimally Invasive Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Children's Mercy Hospital

Coauthored by Andrew J Kirsch, MD, FAAP, FACS, Professor of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine; Fellowship Director, Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Howard M Snyder III, MD, Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

John M Gatti, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Urological Association, Society for Fetal Urology, and Society for Pediatric Urology

Edited by M David Bomalaski, MD, FAAP, Chief of Medical Staff, 3rd Medical Group, Elmendorf Air Force Base; Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; Harry P Koo, MD, Chairman of Urology Division and Director of Pediatric Urology, Virginia Commonwealth University; Professor of Surgery, VCU School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia; Director of Urology, Children's Hospital of Richmond; Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine; and William J Cromie, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Department of Health Care, Capital District Physicians' Health Plan

Author's Email:John M Gatti, MDClick here to view conflict-of-interest information on the author of this topic
Editor's Email:M David Bomalaski, MD, FAAP 

eMedicine Journal, May 24 2006, VOLUME 7, Number 5
INTRODUCTION Section 2 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Background: Hypospadias is an abnormality of anterior urethral development in which the urethral opening is ectopically located on the ventrum of the penis proximal to the tip of the glans penis. The opening may be as proximal as the scrotum or perineum. The penis is more likely to have associated ventral shortening and curvature, called chordee, with more proximal urethral defects.

The earliest medical text describing hypospadias dates back to the second century AD and was the work of Galen, the first to use the term. During the first millennium, the primary treatment for hypospadias was amputation of the penis distal to the meatus. Since that time, many have contributed to development of modern hypospadias repair. Over 300 different types of repairs have been described in the medical literature. Although most reports have been in the last 60 years, most basic techniques were founded over a century ago.

Modern anesthetics, instruments, sutures, dressing materials, and antibiotics have improved clinical outcomes and have created a high standard of care. In most cases, this means a single-stage repair within the first year of life on an outpatient basis.

Pathophysiology: Hypospadias is a congenital defect that is thought to occur embryologically during urethral development, from 8-20 weeks’ gestation. The external genital structures are identical in males and females until 8 weeks’ gestation, but the genitals develop a masculine phenotype in males primarily under the influence of testosterone. As the phallus grows, the open urethral groove extends from its base to the level of the corona. The classic theory is that the urethral folds coalesce in the midline from base to tip, forming a tubularized penile urethra and median scrotal raphe. This accounts for the posterior and middle urethra. The anterior or glanular urethra is thought to develop in a proximal direction, with an ectodermal core forming at the tip of the glans penis, which canalizes to join with the more proximal urethra at the level of the corona. The higher incidence of subcoronal hypospadias supports the vulnerable final step in this theory of development.

In 2000, Baskin proposed a modification of this theory in which the urethral folds fuse to form a seam of epithelium, which is then transformed into mesenchyme and subsequently canalizes by apoptosis or programmed cell resorption. Similarly, this seam theoretically also develops at the glanular level, and the endoderm differentiates to ectoderm with subsequent canalization by apoptosis.

The prepuce normally forms as a ridge of skin from the corona that grows circumferentially, fusing with the glans. Failure of fusion of the urethral folds in hypospadias impedes this process, and a dorsal hood of prepuce results. On rare occasions, a glanular cleft with intact prepuce may occur, the megameatus intact prepuce (MIP) variant.

Chordee, or ventral curvature of the penis, is often associated with hypospadias, especially more severe forms. This is thought to develop secondary to a growth disparity between the normal dorsal tissue of the corporal bodies and the attenuated ventral urethra and associated tissues. Rarely, the abortive spongiosal tissue and fascia distal to the urethral meatus forms a tethering fibrous band that contributes to the chordee.

The location of the abnormal urethral meatus classifies the hypospadias. Although several different classifications have been described, most physicians use the classification that was proposed by Barcat and modified by Duckett, which describes the location of the meatus after correction of any associated chordee. Descriptive locations include anterior (glanular and subcoronal), middle (distal penile, midshaft, and proximal penile), and posterior (penoscrotal, scrotal, and perineal). The location is anterior in 50% of cases, middle in 20%, and posterior in 30%, with the subcoronal position being the most common overall.

Frequency:

Mortality/Morbidity: The treatment for hypospadias is surgical repair. Hypospadias is generally repaired for functional and cosmetic reasons. The more proximally ectopic the position of the urethral meatus, the more likely the urinary stream is to be deflected downward, which may require urinating in a sitting position. Any element of chordee can exacerbate this abnormality. Fertility may be affected. The abnormal deflection of ejaculate may preclude effective insemination, and significant chordee can preclude vaginal insertion of the penis or be associated with inherently painful erections. Although the most minor forms of hypospadias are physiologically insignificant, they too may merit repair based on the potential psychological insult of having a genital anomaly.

Race: The incidence of hypospadias is greater in whites than in blacks, and it is more common in those of Jewish and Italian descent.
CLINICAL Section 3 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

History: Hypospadias is an abnormality of anterior urethral development in which the urethral opening is ectopically located on the ventrum of the penis proximal to the tip of the glans penis. The opening may be as proximal as the scrotum or perineum. The penis is more likely to have associated ventral shortening and curvature, called chordee, with more proximal urethral defects. This is usually discovered at birth.

Obtain a thorough history and physical examination, including any history of a familial pattern of hypospadias, any past medical history or comorbidity, and a physical assessment focusing on the meatal location, glans configuration, skin availability, and chordee.

Physical: Although the diagnosis of hypospadias has been made on prenatal fetal ultrasonography, the diagnosis is generally made upon examination of the newborn infant.

Causes: Several etiologies for hypospadias have been suggested, including genetic, endocrine, and environmental factors.

DIFFERENTIALS Section 4 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Ambiguous Genitalia and Intersexuality
Circumcision
Genital Anomalies


Other Problems to be Considered:

Undescended testes and inguinal hernias are the most common anomalies associated with hypospadias; look for undescended testes and inguinal hernias during the review of symptoms and physical examination. In 1981, a review by Khuri of over 1000 patients with hypospadias found the incidence of undescended testes and inguinal hernias at 9% each. With more severe forms of hypospadias, the incidence of undescended testes exceeded 30% and the incidence of inguinal hernias approached 20%.

The combination of hypospadias and undescended testis can be an indicator of an underlying intersex disorder. In a 1999 study by Kaefer et al, intersex states were identified in approximately 30% of patients with unilateral or bilateral undescended testes and hypospadias, and more proximal meatal location carried a higher association with intersex states than more distal meatal location. If any gonad was nonpalpable, the incidence rose to 50%; however, if both gonads were palpable, the incidence was only 15%.

WORKUP Section 5 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Imaging Studies:

TREATMENT Section 6 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Surgical Care: The goals of treating hypospadias are to create a straight penis by repairing any chordee (orthoplasty), to create a urethra with its meatus at the tip of the penis (urethroplasty), to re-form the glans into a more natural conical configuration (glansplasty), to achieve cosmetically acceptable penile skin coverage, and to create a normal-appearing scrotum. The resulting penis should be suitable for future sexual intercourse, should enable the patient to void while standing, and should present an acceptable cosmetic appearance.

FOLLOW-UP Section 7 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Complications:

Prognosis:

TEST QUESTIONS Section 8 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

CME Question 1: Which of the following factors are thought to play a role in the etiology of hypospadias?


A: Enzyme abnormalities such as 5-alpha reductase
B: Inadequate supply of placental human chorionic gonadotropin
C: Environmental disruptors such as phytoestrogens produced by plants
D: Winter conceptions
E: All of the above

The correct answer is E: All of the factors mentioned have been implicated as causes of hypospadias.

CME Question 2: Which of the following is not accurate regarding the repair of hypospadias?


A: Adjunctive hormonal therapy is sometimes used preoperatively.
B: Urethral stents are commonly used during healing.
C: Surgery is usually delayed until the patient is older than 3 years.
D: Penoscrotal transposition is usually repaired as a staged procedure.
E: Postoperative complications include bleeding, fistula formation, and meatal stenosis.

The correct answer is C: The repair of hypospadias is ideally performed in children younger than 3 years to avoid the potential psychologic morbidity of genital surgery noted in some older children. All other answers are accurate statements.

Pearl Question 1 (T/F): Hypospadias has a familial predilection.

The correct answer is True: An increased incidence of hypospadias has been shown in children and siblings of those with hypospadias.

Pearl Question 2 (T/F): Hypospadias generally requires several surgical procedures for repair.

The correct answer is False: Hypospadias can generally be repaired in a single outpatient operation.

Pearl Question 3 (T/F): Severe hypospadias can be associated with intersex disorders.

The correct answer is True: Severe hypospadias, especially those associated with undescended testes, can be associated with intersex disorders.

Pearl Question 4 (T/F): Isolated hypospadias requires routine upper urinary tract imaging.

The correct answer is False: Hypospadias, without other organ system abnormalities, does not generally require upper urinary tract imaging.
PICTURES Section 9 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Caption: Picture 1. Proximal shaft hypospadias is shown. Note the deficient ventral foreskin, blind urethral pit at the glanular level, and lighter pigmented urethral plate extending to the true meatus at the proximal shaft level.
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Caption: Picture 2. Proximal shaft hypospadias is shown. Note the typical dorsal hood of foreskin and ventral penile skin deficiency.
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Caption: Picture 3. Penoscrotal hypospadias is shown. Note the associated ventral chordee and true urethral meatus located at the scrotal level.
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Caption: Picture 4. Severe penile chordee is shown. Note the extreme ventral curvature of the penile shaft.
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Caption: Picture 5. Penoscrotal transposition is shown. Note the rugated scrotal skin lateral to the penis, cephalad to its normal position.
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Caption: Picture 6. A pedicled preputial island flap is shown. This hairless skin flap will be rotated on its vasculare pedicle to the ventrum of the penis for repair of the urethra.
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Caption: Picture 7. Tubularized incised plate (TIP) technique. The urethral plate has been incised in the dorsal midline, expanding the width of the plate and allowing it to hinge forward for tubularization.
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Caption: Picture 8. A urethrocutaneous fistula has appeared after hypospadias repair. Note one stream from true urethral meatus, and second stream through more proximal fistula.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Section 10 of 10   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page

NOTE:
Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established. New research changes drug and treatment therapies daily. The authors, editors, and publisher of this journal have used their best efforts to provide information that is up-to-date and accurate and is generally accepted within medical standards at the time of publication. However, as medical science is constantly changing and human error is always possible, the authors, editors, and publisher or any other party involved with the publication of this article do not warrant the information in this article is accurate or complete, nor are they responsible for omissions or errors in the article or for the results of using this information. The reader should confirm the information in this article from other sources prior to use. In particular, all drug doses, indications, and contraindications should be confirmed in the package insert. FULL DISCLAIMER
eMedicine Journal, May 24 2006, VOLUME 7, Number 5
© Copyright 2001, eMedicine.com, Inc.

eMedicine Journals > Pediatrics > Urology > Hypospadias
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Use the our online Merriam-Webster medical dictionary.