Infants with hypospadias should not be circumcised. The foreskin should be preserved for use in later surgical repair.

Surgery is usually completed before the child starts school. Today, most urologists recommend repair before 18 months of age. During the surgery, the penis is straightened and the hypospadias is corrected using tissue grafts from the foreskin. The repair may need to be performed in stages, requiring multiple surgeries.

Results after surgery are typically good, both cosmetically and functionally. Approximately 10-20% of the operations require revision for fistulas (which result in leaks) and chordee recurrence.

If hypospadias is untreated, a boy may have difficulty with toilet training and problems with sexual intercourse in adulthood. Urethral strictures and fistulas may form throughout the boy's life, requiring surgical correction.

Typically a child is diagnosed with hypospadias shortly after birth. If you notice that your son's urethral opening is abnormally located, or if his penis becomes curved during erection, call your health care provider.

Do not have the child circumcised if hypospadias is suspected.