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Original poster

Hypospadias - has your son had an op for this?

31 replies

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:17

I have two sons with this condition. Ds1 has had the operation but ds3 still has it to come. The trouble is that we have recently moved and have to see another surgeon now. I saw him yesterday and he does a different op to the one that ds1 had. Neither dh nor I are very happy about the op being done differently. Is there anyone out there whose son has had the op and would you be prepared to tell me the pros and cons of your son's procedure? The older your son is (and therefore the longer they have gone since their op) the more I would like to discuss it with you.

Thanks in advance, hoping there is someone out there!

OP posts:

mears · 10/06/2005 09:23

Did he explain to you why he does it differently? Did you tell him your concerns? What is ihis success rate? You may find that what he does is as good if not better. Surgeons develop various techniques - sounds as though you need deeper explanation. Is the hypospadias exactly the same as his brothers or is it actually different.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:28

Both boys' hypospadias is pretty much identical, as far as I could see.

The main difference in the surgery is that ds1 had a foreskin reconstructed and now looks like an uncircumcised boy but the new surgeon doesn't do that and ds3 would appear circumcised. Neither dh like that idea and, as ds1's op has so far been successful, we don't see the need for the circumcision.

However, to complicate matters, the surgeon thinks ds1's foreskin is too tight and blames it on the scarring when his foreskin was constructed. But I don't know if it is too tight or whether the surgeon just says that because it is not his preferred method IYSWIM.

This surgeon was contacted directly by our old surgeon in whom we have faith (ie not via the GP) so I assumed they would have the same approach to the op, but obviously not.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:29

Sorry, meant to say neither dh nor I like that idea...

Also, don't know his success rate. Other than asking him, how could I find out?

OP posts:

mears · 10/06/2005 09:32

You could ask for an opinion from another surgeon. Could you go back to your old surgeon or is it too far away?

mears · 10/06/2005 09:33

You could ask him. He should be able to tell you and also should not take umbridge.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:36

We are very up front about these things - our original surgeon went through a lot of intense grilling from me before I trusted him - and never stopped teasing me about it afterwards! Yesterday I'm afraid I was taken unawares by the different procedure and dh wasn't with me so the surgeon didn't get the grilling.

I suppose I could go to our GP and ask to be referred to someone who did the procedure in our preferred way?

No our old surgeon is too far away unfortunately otherwise I would never have asked for a referral.

OP posts:

mears · 10/06/2005 09:42

Yes, go back to your GP and speak to him about it regarding your options. I can understand why you are perturbed about it all. Sorry about all the questions - no experience I am afraid. Have you googled to see if there is any info about it on the net?

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:45

No I haven't but I know from when ds1 was first born that there are several sites about it. But mostly they outline the different approaches without really saying which one is better. I suppose some work better for some children and not for others, like all things.

I am just hoping someone on Mumsnet (you feel like friends) will be able to chew the fat with me on this one. Thanks for replying anyway Mears.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 09:48

Oh no! I have just googled hypospadias and the first site I looked at said there are over 200 ways of correcting hypospadias!!!!

OP posts:

mears · 10/06/2005 09:51

this link to a help hypospdias website may be helpful - there is a discussion forum so you could speak to other parents.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 10:04

Thanks. Am trying to register with them but their system isn't as good as Mumsnet's!

OP posts:

maddiemo · 10/06/2005 10:17

Lonelymum. My ds had a hypospadias repair 5 years ago. There are many different types of op to correct hyposapdias as it is quite a complex op. My son looks like a cicumsized male as he did not have enough foreskin to reconstruct, also hiw urethra exit is still higher up the shaft than usual. He can wee standing up though.

I don't have that much time today. You are welcom to CAT me and I will dig out the papers from the op and find out what procedure he had and post the info to you. I did join a support group which seems to have now disappeared!

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 10:19

Basically I want to know what are the pros and cons of having your son circumcised in this situation.

OP posts:

maddiemo · 10/06/2005 10:23

We didn't really have a choice due to lack of foreskin. My husband is circumsised so it did not bother us. Although our other boys are not. We have had no problems since the op. In his case it is not perfect due to the exit hole being higher up the shaft.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 10:29

This may be a question for your dh rather than you, but are there issues with cleanliness/ infection? I suppose if you had no choice due to lack of foreskin, you don't mind about it, but ds3 has as much foreskin as ds1 had and ds1 now looks uncircumcised - not quite like ds2 (who was born without hypospadias) but near enough. I just want them all to look the same as I know it will be a major issue for them all their lives (you know how men feel about their penises!)

OP posts:

maddiemo · 10/06/2005 10:37

Husband has had no problems with it. However I think that given the choice he would rather not have been circumsised as he seems to think he may be missing out on sensation

If we had the choice I think I would rather that ds could have kept his foreskin for the reasons that you give.

maddiemo · 10/06/2005 10:38

Husband has had no problems with it. However I think that given the choice he would rather not have been circumsised as he seems to think he may be missing out on sensation

If we had the choice I think I would rather that ds could have kept his foreskin for the reasons that you give.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 10:49

That is interesting. And obviously strengthens my feelings towards finding another surgeon. Do you mind telling me where you had your son's op done or would you rather not say?

OP posts:

maddiemo · 10/06/2005 10:56

Lewisham hospital, South London.

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 10:57

Oh thanks but that is nowhere near us!

OP posts:

Original poster

Lonelymum · 10/06/2005 21:05

Bump in case any evening Mners have experience of this.

OP posts:

mears · 11/06/2005 00:54

bump

Original poster

Lonelymum · 11/06/2005 09:04

Thanks for the bump Mears. have posted on the website you found for me but it is not exactly Mumsnet in terms of the frequency of postings!

OP posts:

mears · 11/06/2005 11:37

bump

eldestgirl · 11/06/2005 12:29

Lonelymum,
DS2 had a hypospadias repair last year (aged 1) at Southampton General. DS1 (4) was fine and has not been circumcised. DS2 (now 2) now looks circumcised but has no scarring or scar tissue at all. Pees in a straight line. He had a 1 stage Snodgrass repair.
TBH I think a circumcised boy is easier to keep clean. So far, neither of them is bothered that they look different. I just explained to DS1 that his brother has to have his foreskin removed (to repair the back of his penis).
The surgeon should go through his stats with you, % success rate with no complications, etc. It's part of their job. We had a letter with it all set out for us in detail.
The only problem I found with the circumcision was that DS2 found the exposed glans painful to start with in his nappy. He was in disposables at the time. All I needed to do was pop a fleece liner in and he was much more comfy. He didn't have enough foreskin to keep any following the repair, but it is a very mild circumcision iykwim. You do see some boys with hardly any foreskin at all (live in SE Asia).
hth

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