An 8-month-old boy has glandular hypospadias with a ventral chordee of moderate degree. Which statement about his management is correct?
- A Repair is undertaken between 6 and 18 months of age, preserving the foreskin for use in reconstruction ✓
- B Routine neonatal circumcision should be completed before repair
- C Surgery is deferred until puberty so that penile growth is complete
- D Testosterone stimulation is mandatory in all cases before repair
Correct answer: A. Repair is undertaken between 6 and 18 months of age, preserving the foreskin for use in reconstruction
Explanation
Standard practice is hypospadias repair between 6 and 18 months of age, when anaesthetic risk is low and memory of the event is unlikely. The foreskin is deliberately preserved because its inner preputial skin is used as a flap or graft in reconstruction, so routine neonatal circumcision is contraindicated. Deferring to puberty increases psychological morbidity. Hormone stimulation is considered only in older children or small pens, not routinely.
Reference: Pediatric Surgery (Coran), 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.