Chordee
What is it?
Chordee is a congenital downward curvature of
the penis due to a strand of connective tissue
between the urethral opening and the glands. It is
often associated with hypospadius, which is a
congenital condition where the urethral opening is
not at the tip of the penis, but in another
location along the ventrum of the shaft.
Who gets it?
Infant males are born with the chordee.
What causes it?
Chordee can be caused by a short urethra,
fibrous tissues connecting the urethral opening,
or both.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chordee include the penis curving
downward during erection, a dorsal hood deformity,
and incomplete foreskin development. The penis
curves downward severely enough to prevent
satisfactory vaginal penetration in adult males.
How is it diagnosed?
A patient may be referred to an urologist to
diagnose chordee. The most common symptom of
chordee is the penis curving downward during
erection. During the initial examination, if the
patient cannot achieve an erection naturally, the
doctor may inject saline solution into the penis
after placing a tourniquet at the base may induce
it. This technique may also be used during
corrective surgery to be certain that the penis
will be straighter after the operation.
What is the treatment?
A chordee may be surgically repaired anytime
after six months of age. The goals of surgery are
to improve the appearance of the penis for
psychological reasons, to construct an organ that
allows the patient to void in a standing position,
and to produce a sexually adequate organ. If the
chordee is the result of skin tethering, the
doctor may shorten the dorsal foreskin and remove
any fibrous tissue that is causing the curvature.
If associated with hypospadias, chordee is
corrected at the time of the hypospadias repair.
Self-care tips
The prognosis for surgical repair of a chordee
for both functional and cosmetic purposes is
usually good. If residual chordee exists and the
penis is still not straight, another surgery may
be needed to correct the condition.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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