[Distal hypospadias: Current therapeutic approach and various aspects of follow-up]

Hypospadias is the second most common birth anomaly in male newborns. Most have a distal variant with the urethral opening on or near the glans, which is called distal hypospadia.

Surgical repair is recommended around the first birthday of the child in distal hypospadias mostly due to cosmetic and psychosexual reasons to establish a normal body image.

Recently published long-term follow-up studies revealed a complication rate of around 20%, which means that for every fifth child undergoing surgery for distal hyspoapdia, more than one operation is needed in the long term. Parents of patients who have undergone distal hypospadia repair suffer from decisional regret in around 50% of cases, especially when complications occurred.

Surgeon's experience and patient's age have a direct impact on complication rates. Thus, urological counseling of parents and patients should take these issues into account.