A newborn male is found to have a dorsal urethral opening on the penile shaft, ventral curvature of the penis, and a hooded foreskin on the dorsal aspect. The scrotum is normal and testes are descended. Which statement about this condition is correct?
- A The urethral meatus is located on the glans in this case
- B It is associated with undescended testes in over 50 percent of cases
- C Circumcision should be avoided as foreskin is needed for reconstruction ✓
- D It is caused by failure of ventral fusion of the urethral folds
Correct answer: C. Circumcision should be avoided as foreskin is needed for reconstruction
Explanation
Hypospadias is characterized by a proximal and ventral urethral meatus, ventral curvature (chordee), and hooded foreskin dorsally. It results from failure of ventral fusion of the urethral folds. Circumcision must be avoided as the prepuce is essential for surgical reconstruction. In penile hypospadias, cryptorchidism is present in only about 10 percent, not 50 percent. Proximal hypospadias has a higher association with undescended testes and requires screening for disorders of sexual differentiation.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.