Pathoembryology of Hypospadias and Chordee

Abstract

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in childhood. It refers to displacement of the external urethral meatus toward the undersurface of penis, the scrotum or the perineum. Congenital abnormal curvature of the penis is termed as "chordee" and it may be dorsal or ventral and of varying degree. Genetic as well as environmental antiandrogenic and estrogenic factors are blamed for the etiology of congenital penile malformations. Morphological patterns of prepuce and of dartos tissue are described. In some instances, preoperative treatment with testosterone is indicated. Different surgeries are mentioned for the repair of hypospadias, penile torsion and chordee.