A cleft penis is a congenital defect that causes the head of the penis to be missing or to have a slit-like opening. It may also be related to hypospadias, Megameatus, or Congenital fungicide. Listed below are some causes of this condition. A cleft penis can also occur in boys born with other congenital defects.
Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a condition that causes the penis to be too short. Treatment for hypospadias involves surgery, which is performed when a child is between three and 18 months old. The surgery can help to repair the curve of the penis as well as the skin surrounding the urethra. While circumcision is not needed in mild cases, it may be necessary in severe cases.
Although children cannot make an informed decision regarding the surgical treatment, they can generally make it if they are older than six months. In general, children aren’t fully aware of the surgical procedure until they reach the teenage years, a critical period when they are still forming their identities as adults. Body image is a major concern for teenage boys, and uncorrected hypospadias can make a boy worry about what other people will think of him.
Megameatus
Megameatus cleft penis (MIP) is a relatively rare condition with no known cause. The etiology is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and endocrinological factors. Surgical management aims to restore function and cosmetic appearance and alleviate psychological disturbance to the patient. A variety of surgical techniques have been described. Listed below are some of the more common surgical options for MIP.
A megameatus cleft penis is a condition in which the urethra does not terminate at the tip of the penis. This condition results in a large cleft in the underside of the penis, as well as an overly large urethral opening. In newborns, the condition is often undetected. In older children, surgical reconstruction is similar to that for hypospadias, although the latter condition is rare.
Congenital fungicide
In some cases, a congenital fungicide can help prevent the development of a cleft penis. A cleft penis is a birth defect in which the urethra on the underside of the penis is not developed correctly. The urethra is the tube through which urine drains and exits the body. While this condition is common, it can affect the ability to urinate and reproduce. Surgical treatment can restore a normal appearance to a child’s penis and help him or her urinate normally.
Opitz syndrome
The genetic defect causing Opitz syndrome and cleft penis is a disorder called X-linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome. This condition is inherited from either a male or a female. Males inherit one copy of the X chromosome while females have two. However, in affected individuals, one copy of the MID1 gene is altered, resulting in less severe symptoms.
This disease is caused by a mutated gene in the Xp22 ring finger. The gene responsible for Opitz syndrome is located within an interval of 18 cm on the Xp22 chromosome. The gene was cloned through pericentric inversion and renamed MID1 (Midline 1). The gene encodes a B-box family protein containing a RING finger motif.
Outpatient surgery for hypospadias
After undergoing outpatient surgery for hypospadias and/or cleft penis, you will be required to follow up for several months. Your doctor will assess your healing and recommend another procedure if you experience complications. The most common side effects are swelling and bruising, but these should diminish within several weeks. In addition, the penis may have a small, unsightly ruffle. The procedure should be completed 6 months after birth.
Depending on the severity of your child’s hypospadias, your surgeon may suggest more complicated procedures, such as surgery to repair the urethra. Follow-up visits may be necessary, especially for boys who have undergone more than one operation. Your child may need to visit the urologist after surgery and when he enters puberty. The goals of the surgery are to restore normal function to the penis and improve sexual development.
