Management of penile curvature in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ventral penile curvature occurs in both hypospadias and so-called 'chordee without hypospadias', and so its correction is a topic of relevance to pediatric urologists.

RECENT FINDINGS: Dorsal plication and ventral corporal incision with grafting are the two most commonly used methods to straighten ventral penile curvature. Urethral plate elevation from the corpora has previously been reported to reduce bending, and in the past year this maneuver has been combined with ventral corporal grafting or with dissection of the formed urethra to the bulb to achieve straightening while conserving the plate for urethroplasty.

SUMMARY: Continuing innovation in hypospadias surgery offers additional options for straightening the congenitally bent penis.