Hypospadias-Surgery or No surgery?

[aliciamarie632]

My 8 month old DS was born with hypospadias. He has a mild case and by what we can see the urethra opening is just a couple mm below where it should be. We met with the pediatric urologist recently and he explained the surgery and that without it my son may have a thin urine stream (can cause UTI), possibly urine stream will spray crooked, and he may simply be uncomfortable with the appearence. Surgery is considered cosmetic and outpatient but obviously can have complications and has general anesthesia. He said basically we have to decide whether our son would care or not. Obviously with an 8 month old there is no way to know that. But, my husband did same the extra urethra opening would bother him. We also know that chance of complications go up the older he is because younger children heal better.

Anyone have a similiar situation? We are praying for answers but this is such a hard choice to make! TIA!

[Shaunam]

I think you should consider that it can always be done later. It's not a "now or never" type of deal. If he starts to have UTI's or feels self-conscious about it when he's older, you can do it then. It will still be under general. The only difference is, he'd be bigger and they'll be able to see what they are doing better and have more skin to work with. And if he's using the potty by then, he will have the advantage of not having to urinate on a wound and would hopefully be old enough to understand what's going on and be able to verbalize if/how much pain he's in so he can get appropriate meds. It's quite possible that he *wouldn't* choose surgery for himself, so I would personally take the less invasive road unless you encounter problems or until he can express his wishes.

[starbuckmom]

Our nephew had this and my bro and sil had him have surgery around 3yrs old and he is fine now. I would do it earlier than later.

[namyers05]

I agree. I think I would do it earlier. Because the thought of MOST men being cut on down there at a later age, is NOT something they can decide to do. If he suffers from the UTIs you will be saving him from making a choice later on, of wheather or not to suffer with them or have his privates fixed. Good luck mama!

Nickie

[NCFlanagan]

my husband had this surgery at a VERY late age in life (preteen, but still!) and has had absolutely no ill effects. however, i would go with surgery earlier rather than later... that's what we had decided to do if our LO was born with it, too.

[stringbean02]

my ex had this surgery done when we were in high school, he was 16 when he got it done and it was really rough for him going through it all at a "mature" age. its a hard decision, but i definatly agree with others about the "better sooner than later" thing.

[penelope picklebottom]

My nephew has this and has yet to have his surgery to correct it. He has LOTS of other health issues, so this has been put off. He is 13 months old and the doctors seem to be in no hurry. Kids are so resiliant so I would think the earlier the better, but it's a tough decision to make.

[pepsichic9115]

Dylan had the surgery to correct his shortly after his first birthday!!

[SAHM2Seven]

Originally Posted by aliciamarie632 My 8 month old DS was born with hypospadias. He has a mild case and by what we can see the urethra opening is just a couple mm below where it should be. We met with the pediatric urologist recently and he explained the surgery and that without it my son may have a thin urine stream (can cause UTI), possibly urine stream will spray crooked, and he may simply be uncomfortable with the appearence. Surgery is considered cosmetic and outpatient but obviously can have complications and has general anesthesia. He said basically we have to decide whether our son would care or not. Obviously with an 8 month old there is no way to know that. But, my husband did same the extra urethra opening would bother him. We also know that chance of complications go up the older he is because younger children heal better. Anyone have a similiar situation? We are praying for answers but this is such a hard choice to make! TIA!

Didnt read all the responses, but my son had this and had surgery when he was 12 to correct it. All 4 of my sons were not circ'd, I was sad that my son needed it, but we always said that if something medical came up, we would take care of it then. We tried a steroid cream but it didnt work. They gave him general anesthesia, and the recovery was very easy for him, and he was 12!!
The Specialist we saw explained that when he was older, and was sexually active, that when he got an erection, the penis could come "out" but then the opening is too small, and could cause a tourniquet like on the head of the penis and cause an emergency. I and my DH of course did NOT want this to happen.
I would take a wait and see what happens approach if he is okay now.

[ariandsofiesmom]

My son also had the surgery and at an early age. It partially cosmetic and partially for medical reasons. For the medical issues, my husband and I decided that it would be beneficial for him to have the surgery.