If my child still has problems after several operations, can his hypospadias still be repaired?
Yes. Fortunately, the majority of operations are successful the first time. Yet, a few children require re-operation because of complications. Most of them will have a good outcome the second time, while a few will have lingering problems leading to even more surgery. This small group of patients is sometimes referred to as “hypospadias cripples,” implying that their problems cannot be fixed. While it is difficult to consider more surgery in these unusual circumstances, there are options available that offer hope for success. For example, scarring from prior operations can be removed and replaced with fresh tissue from other areas, most often from inside the cheek, to create a urinary channel and still achieve good cosmetic results.
