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This procedure is done on male infants born with:
- Chordee
- Hypospadias with chordee—With this condition, the opening of the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body) is on the bottom of the penis. Normally, the opening is at the tip of the penis. Hypospadias can make it difficult for the child to urinate while standing. It can also affect sexual function later in life.
The surgery is typically done after six months of age if the penis curvature is greater than 30 degrees. Curvature of the penis greater than 60 degrees can affect sexual function later in life.
After surgery, the penis should function normally.
Possible Complications
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If your child is having the surgery, the doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Shortened penis
- Bleeding
- Need for another operation
- Reaction to the anesthesia (eg, light-headedness, low blood pressure, wheezing)
- Infection (wound infection or urinary tract infection )
- Psychological trauma
Discuss these risks with the doctor before surgery.
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact the doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Pain that is not controlled with the medicine the doctor has given
- Redness, increased swelling, or tenderness in the penis
- Bleeding from the penis
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Inability to eat or drink
- Difficulty urinating or inability to urinate
- Catheter or stitches fall out
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
Chordee is a birth defect of the penis. The penis is curved downward during an erection. Chordee repair is a surgery to straighten the penis. The surgery is done by a specialized doctor called a pediatric urologist.
The Male Reproductive System |
Prior to Procedure
The doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam, which may include causing an artificial erection to check the degree of curvature
- Blood and urine tests
- Discuss the anesthesia being used and the potential risks
Talk to the doctor about your child’s medicines and supplements. Your child may need to stop certain medicines before the surgery. The doctor may also ask that your child take certain medicines to prepare for surgery.
Your child will need to have an empty stomach before the procedure. Ask the doctor when your child will need to stop eating.
Anesthesia
Local or general anesthesia is used. This will block any pain.
Description of Procedure
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. Your child will not need to stay in the hospital overnight.
Several techniques may be used to straighten the penis. Tight, shortened foreskin may be released. Extra skin on the longer side may be sutured with permanent or absorbable stitches. If the urethra is short, the lining of the urethra may need to be cut. In general, surgery aims to make the longer and shorter sides of the penis equal in length.
An artificial erection will be created using a special injection to confirm that the penis is straight. Bandages will be placed around the penis.
How Long Will It Take?
About 1-2 hours (longer if your child is having a more complex procedure)
How Much Will It Hurt?
Your child will not feel any pain during surgery. The doctor will give pain medicine after the procedure.
Post-procedure Care
At the Care Center
The staff will monitor your child and give him pain medicine.
At Home
When your child returns home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Swelling is normal. Give medicines as directed. This may include antibiotic ointment to put on the penis.
- Your child should only engage in light, gentle activities while the penis is healing.
- Keep the bandaged area clean, dry, and protected as directed.
- Follow all of the doctor’s instructions.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
American Urological Association
http://www.auanet.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
References:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Guideline Clearinghouse. Congenital penile curvature. AHRQ, National Guideline Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=12595&search=chordee . Published March 2009. Accessed August 13, 2010.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Hypospadias/chordee. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/urinary/diagnose/hypospadias.htm . Accessed August 16, 2010.
Elder J. Anomalies of the Penis and Urethra. In: Kleigman R, Behrman R, Jenson J. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 544.
Institute for Sexual Medicine. Congenital penile curvature: chordee. Institute for Sexual Medicine website. Available at: http://sexualmed.org/index.cfm/sexual-health-issues/for-men/congenital-penile-curvature-chordee/ . Updated March 29, 2010. Accessed August 16, 2010.
Penn State Children’s Hospital. Chordee. Penn State Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/healthinfo/c/chordee.htm . Updated October 31, 2006. Accessed August 13, 2010.
Chordee is a birth defect of the penis. The penis is curved downward during an erection. Chordee repair is a surgery to straighten the penis. The surgery is done by a specialized doctor called a pediatric urologist.
The Male Reproductive System |
Prior to Procedure
The doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam, which may include causing an artificial erection to check the degree of curvature
- Blood and urine tests
- Discuss the anesthesia being used and the potential risks
Talk to the doctor about your child’s medicines and supplements. Your child may need to stop certain medicines before the surgery. The doctor may also ask that your child take certain medicines to prepare for surgery.
Your child will need to have an empty stomach before the procedure. Ask the doctor when your child will need to stop eating.
Anesthesia
Local or general anesthesia is used. This will block any pain.
Description of Procedure
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. Your child will not need to stay in the hospital overnight.
Several techniques may be used to straighten the penis. Tight, shortened foreskin may be released. Extra skin on the longer side may be sutured with permanent or absorbable stitches. If the urethra is short, the lining of the urethra may need to be cut. In general, surgery aims to make the longer and shorter sides of the penis equal in length.
An artificial erection will be created using a special injection to confirm that the penis is straight. Bandages will be placed around the penis.
How Long Will It Take?
About 1-2 hours (longer if your child is having a more complex procedure)
How Much Will It Hurt?
Your child will not feel any pain during surgery. The doctor will give pain medicine after the procedure.
Post-procedure Care
At the Care Center
The staff will monitor your child and give him pain medicine.
At Home
When your child returns home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Swelling is normal. Give medicines as directed. This may include antibiotic ointment to put on the penis.
- Your child should only engage in light, gentle activities while the penis is healing.
- Keep the bandaged area clean, dry, and protected as directed.
- Follow all of the doctor’s instructions.
