Pronounced: kor-DEE
Chordee is a birth defect of the penis. It causes the penis to be curved downward during an erection.
The Male Reproductive System
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Chordee occurs when the baby is developing in the womb. It is sometimes due to a shortened urethra or having thick tissue around the urethra. The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body so that urine can exit. Other times, the problem may be due to the skin on the bottom side of the penis being too short.
One risk factor is hypospadias . With this condition, the opening of the urethra is on the bottom of the penis instead of at the tip of the penis.
Symptoms include:
This condition may not be detected until later in childhood.
The doctor may diagnose the condition during a physical exam. A specialist called a urologist may do a procedure to create an artificial erection. This allows the doctor to examine the penis. Chordee may also be found during surgery to fix another problem that affects the penis.
In mild cases, surgery may not be needed. The doctor will monitor your child’s condition. In other cases, surgery may be done to straighten the penis. The curved appearance will be straightened by:
Surgery is usually done in children aged 3-18 months.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
HealthyChildren.org
http://www.healthychildren.org
Urology Care Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Guideline Clearinghouse. Congenital penile curvature. AHRQ, National Guideline Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=12595&search=chordee . Published March 2009. Accessed January 31, 2013.
Hypospadias. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated January 26, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2013.
Hypospadias/chordee. Cincinnati Children's Hospital website. Available at: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/h/hypospadias/. Updated December 2010. Accessed January 31, 2013.
Hypospadias and chordee. Comprehensive Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.urologist.org/ForPatients/EducationalResources/UrologyConditions/DIsplayPediatricConditions/tabid/234/ArticleId/71/Hypospadias-and-Chordee.aspx. Accessed January 31, 2013.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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