In some baby boys, the urine opening is not located at the tip of the penis, such a condition is called hypospadias. It is something that some babies are born with. It can be mild or more serious. At first it may sound like a problem but hypospadias can usually be fixed with the right treatment by the right doctor. Dr. Saurabh Garge, best pediatric urologist in Indore, says that understanding hypospadias helps parents make right decisions about whether their child needs surgery and when it should be done.
Normally the tube that carries urine out of the body opens at the tip of the penis. In a child with hypospadias, this opening is somewhere else on the penis, it might be somewhere near the tip or further down. Some children may also have a penis or a foreskin that is not fully formed. Hypospadias is usually found when the baby is born and a doctor examines him.
No, not every child with hypospadias needs surgery. If the urine opening is close to the tip and the penis is not curved the child may not need an operation. The decision to have surgery depends on where the urine opens, how curved the penis is and how well the child can urinate. A doctor who specializes in children’s surgery or urology can help determine if the child needs surgery.
The goal of hypospadias repair is to move the urine opening to the tip of the penis. If the penis is curved, the surgeon may also fix that during the operation. The type of surgery that is done depends on how serious the hypospadias is. Some children can have the surgery all at once while others may need to have it done in stages. The surgeon will decide what to do after examining the child.
If surgery is needed, it is usually done when the child is small. Many doctors recommend doing the surgery when the child’s around six months old. The best time for surgery depends on the child’s health and the seriousness of the hypospadias. Children who are diagnosed later can still have the surgery. The decision about when to have the surgery should be made on a case-by-case basis.

If a baby has hypospadias, circumcision should usually be avoided until a specialist has examined the child. In some cases, the foreskin may be needed during surgery to help repair or reconstruct the urinary passage. A paediatric surgeon or urologist will first assess the position of the urinary opening, any penile curvature, and the severity of hypospadias before planning treatment. It is safest to wait and consult a specialist before deciding about circumcision.
Many children can go home on the day of the surgery. The child may have a catheter or stent to help them urinate while they heal. The parents may notice some swelling or bruising after the surgery. The doctor will give them instructions on how to take care of the child and what to expect. The child will need to have follow-up appointments to make sure they are healing properly.
Like any surgery, hypospadias repair can sometimes have complications, though most children recover well with proper care and follow-up. Possible complications may include:
Regular follow-up with the surgeon is important to monitor healing, check the urine stream, and identify any problems early.
Hypospadias is a condition where the urine opening’s not at the tip of the penis. Some children may not need any treatment while others may need surgery to help them urinate properly. The treatment plan should be based on the child’s needs. Parents who are concerned about hypospadias can talk to Dr. Saurabh Garge, best pediatric urologist in Indore, to get the correct information and guidance.
Hypospadias is a treatable condition, and with timely diagnosis and the right surgical care, most children can achieve good functional and cosmetic outcomes. Parents should avoid circumcision before specialist evaluation, follow all post-surgery care instructions, and attend regular follow-up visits to monitor healing.
If you notice an unusual urinary opening, penile curvature, or concerns with your child’s urine stream, consult Dr. Saurabh Garge, best paediatric surgeon for proper evaluation and guidance.
Parents should consult a pediatric surgeon or pediatric urologist experienced in treating hypospadias. Dr. Saurabh Garge, best pediatric surgeon in Indore, can examine the position of the urinary opening, check for penile curvature and recommend whether surgery or regular observation is needed.