Iatrogenic hypospadias--a preventable injury?

Iatrogenic hypospadias is a preventable injury to the ventral male urethra produced by the downward pressure of an indwelling urethral catheter. In spite of avoiding long-term urethral catheterisation, we have acquired 16 patients with this injury in the last 9 years either in our unit or discovered in patients referred to our unit. Although not a life endangering complication, the majority of such patients find the penile appearance so produced unacceptable. We have reconstructed any penis that has more than meatal cleavage in a total of six patients, with good results. The majority of patients have been fully investigated so that an alternative therapy to catheterisation may be provided. Where possible a catheter free state has been achieved. If not, a suprapubic catheter has been inserted. Those not reconstructed were due to reasons of ill health, and in two instances, due to patient choice.