Tubularization of the incised urethral plate (Snodgrass procedure) for primary hypospadias surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Snodgrass procedure for patients with hypospadias who have not undergone previous surgery and whose urethral plate is too narrow for tubularization alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two boys (mean age 18 months) underwent primary hypospadiac surgery performed by one surgeon (P.S.M.). Twenty-five boys had a distal hypospadias (coronal, subcoronal) and seven had a more proximal defect (penile shaft, penoscrotal). The operation involved incision of the urethral plate, which was then tubularized (Snodgrass procedure). The neourethra was then covered with a de-epithelialized pedicled dartos flap from the inner prepuce before glans and skin closure. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 10 months (range 2-14) there were two complications; one child with a coronal hypospadias developed a fistula whist one with a penile shaft defect had complete breakdown of the neourethra. The cosmetic appearance in the other 30 patients is that of a normal slit-like terminal meatus. CONCLUSION: Tubularization of the incised urethral plate is a safe advance in the surgery of hypospadias. We recommend it for both distal and proximal defects, in patients where the urethral plate is insufficient for tubularization alone.     

Tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty for secondary hypospadias surgery

PURPOSE: Reoperation for failed hypospadias has been considered to be seriously bothersome because abundant penile skin does not tend to remain for urethroplasty or for penile shaft skin coverage. In this study, the tubularization of incised urethral plate was employed for those who had no excessive penile skin after failure of hypospadias repair. METHODS: Five patients with hypospadias underwent tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty as salvage surgery. The surgical techniques necessary for the performance of the reoperation were not different from those for the primary repair. The urethral plate was incised sufficiently deeply in its midline from the tip of the glans to the regressed meatus. The incised urethral plate was tubularized without tension over a catheter of an appropriate size. RESULTS: Four of those who underwent secondary tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty were successfully repaired without complications. A urethrocutaneous fistula occurred at the corona in the remaining patient. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of preputial skin in reoperative cases makes tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty the ideal option, although the series was small and postoperative duration is still short. In addition, this procedure can give excellent functional and cosmetic results even in patients who require revisional hypospadias surgery.     

切开尿道板管状成形术治疗尿道下裂35例报告

目的 :探讨切开尿道板管状成形术治疗小儿尿道下裂的临床效果。　方法 :尿道下裂患者 35例 ,年龄 1～12岁 ,均属阴茎型尿道下裂 ,其中 ,阴茎头型 5例、阴茎体型 2 7例、阴茎阴囊型 3例。采用正中切开尿道板 ,应用手术放大镜进行显微外科技术缝合 ,管状尿道成形术一期修复尿道下裂。　结果 :本组 35例患者 ,一次性治愈 30例 ,术后出现尿瘘 2例 ,尿道口狭窄 3例 ;随访 1～ 5年 ,32例无排尿异常。　结论 :尿道板接近正常尿道粘膜 ,血运丰富、伸延性好 ,切开尿道板管状成形术是一期修复阴茎型尿道下裂比较理想的术式。     

Radical bulbar dissection to correct severe chordee and proximal hypospadias

PURPOSE: We describe a technique of proximal hypospadias correction that involves freeing the proximal normal bulbar urethra from perineal attachments to lengthen the ventral penis and decrease chordee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Correction was performed in 9 patients with a mean age of 11.5 months who had proximal hypospadias and severe chordee that was perineal in 2, mid scrotal in 6 and penoscrotal in 1. After the penis was degloved the bulbar urethra was detethered to or beyond the perineal body without lifting the urethra from the corpora cavernosa. Any remaining penile chordee was corrected and the urethral plate was transected only when chordee persisted. When the urethral plate was intact and the penis straight, tubularized incised plate urethroplasty was done to correct hypospadias in 1 stage. Otherwise 2-stage repair was performed. RESULTS: Using this maneuver penile straightening was achieved in 2 of the 9 patients, resulting in a glanular urethral or penoscrotal meatus. Dorsal plication sutures required in 4 cases resulted in a mid shaft and penoscrotal meatus in 1 and 3, respectively. Residual chordee in the remaining 3 patients necessitated division of the urethral plate and 2-stage repair despite aggressive mobilization of the proximal urethra. Simultaneous tubularized incised plate urethroplasty was then performed in the 4 penoscrotal and 1 mid shaft meatus. All 6 patients who underwent a successful 1-stage procedure have excellent cosmetic results, while 1 required meatotomy. No fistula or chordee was present at a mean of 13.8 months of followup (range 3.9 to 27.1). CONCLUSIONS: This safe, rapid technique may compensate for significant penile tethering and chordee in a subpopulation of patients with proximal hypospadias, such as 6 of the 9 in our study. It also allows successful tubularized incised plate urethroplasty to be done simultaneously.     

Treatment of complex hypospadias by the Snodgrass technique]

PURPOSE: Successful use of the Snodgrass modification of Tiersch-Duplay urethroplasty for repair of distal hypospadias has been reported. Given the features of the repair: technical simplicity, preservation of the urethral plate, single suture line in the urethroplasty and no need for vascularized pedicle graft, we felt that the technique could be applied to the treatment of proximal hypospadias. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of 35 patients with either midshaft or penoscrotal hypospadias who underwent a Snodgrass type of hypospadias repair was carried out. Age at surgery was 3 to 54 months (mean age: 8.4 months). No patients with significant chordee were included. All patients had indwelling urethral stents for 5 to 7 days postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 3 years. RESULTS: There were no immediate postoperative complications. Four patients experienced a urethrocutaneous fistula in association with meatal stenosis. After meatal dilatation, 2 of these fistulae closed spontaneously for an overall fistula rate of 5.7%. The overall cosmetic result of the glans and urethral meatus was noted to be excellent. Urinary stream was normal in all cases. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the Snodgrass modification of Tiersch-Duplay hypospadias repair provides satisfactory cosmetic and functional results in the treatment of proximal hypospadias with a low surgical complication rate. In young patients, it is our procedure of choice for penile and penoscrotal hypospadias without major degrees of chordee.     

尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术治疗尿道下裂

目的探讨尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术（Snodgrass手术）治疗尿道下裂的临床效果。方法对采用尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术治疗31例尿道下裂患者进行同颐性分析。,尿道下裂患者31例,年龄1～14岁,其中阴茎头型5例、阴茎体型14例、阴茎阴囊型4例,二期尿道成形术8例。结果本组31例患者,一次性治愈26例,术后出现尿瘘2例,均已修补成功。尿道口狭窄3例,经尿道扩张后治愈.结论尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术可应用于多种类型的尿道下裂治疗。手术操作简便易行,手术成功率高。     

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience of using the tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty (useful in the treatment of distal hypospadias) to treat proximal hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1997 to March 2000 primary repairs were carried out on 40 boys (mean age 4.5 years) with proximal hypospadias. After degloving the penile skin the meatus was at the mid-shaft in 10 boys, at the proximal penile shaft in 11, at the penoscrotal junction in 16, at the scrotum in two and at the perineum in one. The 21 patients with a mid or proximal shaft meatus were categorized as having mid-shaft and the other 19 as having posterior hypospadias. Tunica albuginea plication (TAP) was used to correct residual ventral curvature. The method of urethroplasty was adapted from that described by Snodgrass. The key step of the TIP repair is a midline incision of the urethral plate; a subcutaneous tissue flap dissected from the inner prepuce is used to cover the neourethra. An 8 or 10 F nasogastric tube is used as a urethral stent and removed 7 or 8 days after surgery. Follow-up endoscopy and urethral sounding were carried out in 17 of the patients aged < 6 years; the mean follow-up was 12.5 months. RESULTS: TAP was used to correct penile curvature in nine (23%) of the patients. Excluding stenosis, the TIP repair was successful in 20 (90%) of those with mid-shaft and in 16 of the 19 with posterior hypospadias; for all complications the respective rates were 19 of 22 and 15 of 19. The overall success rate was 88% for all 40 patients with proximal hypospadias; a urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in two of those with mid-shaft and three of those with posterior hypospadias. Urethral meatal stenosis occurred in four (12%) of the patients (two in each group); two were associated with a fistula and the other two had only mild meatal stenosis. The overall complication rate was 17.5% (three and four in the mid and the posterior hypospadias groups, respectively). The meatal stenosis was managed by simple dilatation in three and meatoplasty in one patient. Endoscopically, the mucosa of neourethra was pink and smooth in all 17 patients assessed. The calibre of all 17 neourethra was > or = 8 F and in 13 was > or = 10 F. CONCLUSION: TIP repair is a reliable method for treating both mid-shaft and posterior hypospadias.     

Longitudinal dorsal dartos flap for prevention of fistula after a Snodgrass hypospadias procedure

OBJECTIVES: The Snodgrass technique presents the procedure of choice for distal hypospadias. Fistula formation is the most common complication with various rates. We evaluated the importance of a urethral covering using vascularized dorsal subcutaneous tissue for fistula prevention. METHODS: Our study included 126 patients, aged 10 months to 16 years, who underwent hypospadias repair from April 1998 through June 2005. Of the patients, 89 had distal, 30 had midshaft and 7 had penoscrotal hypospadias. All patients underwent standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty, which was followed by reconstruction of new surrounding urethral tissue. A longitudinal dorsal dartos flap was harvested and transposed to the ventral side by the buttonhole manoeuvre. The flap was sutured to the glans and the corpora cavernosa to completely cover the neourethra with well-vascularized subcutaneous tissue. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 32 (6-87) months. A successful result without fistula was achieved in all 126 patients. In six patients, temporary stenosis of the glandular urethra occurred and was solved by dilation. CONCLUSIONS: A urethral covering should be performed as part of the Snodgrass procedure. A dorsal well-vascularized dartos flap that is buttonholed ventrally represents a good choice for fistula prevention. Redundancy of the flap and its excellent vascularization depend on the harvesting technique.     

Repair of hypospadias complications using the tubularized, incised plate urethroplasty

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Secondary procedures to correct complications after hypospadias repair remain challenging especially for "hypospadias cripples." The tubularized, incised plate urethroplasty was first introduced by Snodgrass for the repair of primary hypospadias in 1993. The authors used this procedure to correct the complications after hypospadias repair in patients who had no abundant local skin flaps to be used for a neourethra. METHODS: Six patients underwent tubularized, incised plate urethroplasty for the correction of complications of hypospadias repair performed the previous year, including a large urethrocutaneous fistula (n = 1) and disruption of the neourethra (n = 5). Prior surgical procedures included transverse island tube urethroplasty in 4 cases and 2-stage urethroplasty in 2 cases. The average patient age at the time of secondary procedure was 4.6 years (range, 1 to 12 years). RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 6 months (range, 2 months to 1 year). All the patients obtained a functional neourethra with a vertical, slitlike meatus. A small fistula developed in one child and mild meatal retraction in another. CONCLUSIONS: The tubularized, incised plate urethroplasty offers few complications and good cosmetic results. The authors recommend its use for patients who have had repeated surgeries for hypospadias repair, especially those in whom only limited local skin flaps can be utilized for a neourethra.     

Achieving a natural glanular meatus for distal hypospadias with a narrow and shallow plate: Tubularized incised plate versus modified Barcat repair

Objectives:   Although the tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair has become the most popular surgical procedure for distal hypospadias, some authors suggest that this is not suitable for hypospadias with a narrow plate or shallow groove.
Methods:   The configuration and position of the reconstructed meatus were postoperatively analyzed in patients with distal hypospadias whose preoperative urethral plates were shallow or narrow. The findings were compared between six patients undergoing TIP repair and seven patients undergoing modified Barcat (BAVIS) repair.
Results:   Among those undergoing the TIP procedure, a slit-like meatus at the tip of the glans was achieved in one patient, a slit-like meatus at the mid portion of the glans in four patients and a round meatus at the mid portion of the glans in one patient. In those repaired by the BAVIS procedure, a slit-like meatus at the tip of glans was achieved in three patients, a round or irregularly shaped meatus at the tip of the glans in two patients, an irregularly shaped meatus at the mid portion of the glans in one patient and neourethral dehiscence in one patient.
Conclusions:   The present study confirms that a higher rate of achieving slit-like meatus but a lower rate of locating in the glans tip can be attained after TIP repair. On the other hand, there is a higher rate of locating the meatus in the glans tip but a lower rate of achieving a slit-like meatus after BAVIS repair.     

Re-operative hypospadias repair using the Snodgrass incised plate urethroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the results of tubularized incised plate (Snodgrass) urethroplasty in a series of re-operative hypospadias repairs in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a follow-up (from 1996 until 2000) of 13 patients (mean age 7.5 years, range 13 months to 27 years) who had at least one previous hypospadias repair and who then underwent a reconstruction using the Snodgrass repair. In all cases the urethroplasty was covered with an additional layer of subcutaneous tissue. The original location, associated complications and results were recorded. In some cases, the long-term follow up was conducted by telephone. RESULTS: Associated complications before the Snodgrass repair included urethral stricture in two, fistula in three and persistent chordee in one patient. The mean (range) follow-up was 22 (9-34) months. The cosmetic results were excellent, with two complications (one patient with a glans dehiscence and a urethrocutaneous fistula, and a second with meatal stenosis). The remaining patients required no further procedures and were voiding normally at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Excellent cosmetic and functional results can be obtained using the Snodgrass incised plate urethroplasty for re-operative hypospadias repair. Only one patient in this series had an initial operation in which the urethral plate was previously incised. Therefore, caution should be used when considering an incised plate urethroplasty in these patients.     

Cecil urethroplasty with concurrent scrotoplasty for repair of hypospadias.

During 13 years about 8 per cent of 234 patients operated upon for hypospadias presented surgical problems of reconstruction of the urethra from the urethral meatus proximal to the penoscrotal junction. These cases commonly are referred to as perineal or penoscrotal hypospadias. The problem occurs when the urethral groove fails to develop adequately and the scrotal folds have failed to rotate caudally. This hypospadias is in contrast to penoscrotal or distal hypospadias, when the urethral groove is developed but fusion is incomplete. In these patients the Cecil procedure has been used but modified to extend the urethra from behind the penoscrotal junction to the glans at the second stage of the urethroplasty. The modification consists of rotating the scrotum caudally from its high location. The tension and acute angulation that contributed to frequent complications previously associated with such attempts have been avoided and results are satisfactory.     

Preservation of the thin distal urethra in hypospadias repair

PURPOSE: We report our experience with preserving the thin distal urethra lacking corpus spongiosum for the treatment of hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to October 1999 we treated primary hypospadias in 77 boys with a mean age of 4 years 10 months. After degloving the penile skin a segment of thin distal urethra lacking corpus spongiosum was noted in 18 patients (23.4%) with a mean age of 3 years 5 months. The thin distal urethra was preserved and incorporated as part of urethroplasty (group 1). The procedure was primarily completed by tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. We also performed tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in 31 boys (40.3%) with a mean age of 5 years 2 months who had normal coverage of the corpus spongiosum of a hypospadiac urethra (group 2). We compared the results of treatment in these 2 groups. The remaining 28 patients (36.4%) treated with other methods were excluded from study. RESULTS: In group 1 the distance from the original meatus to the urethra covered by healthy corpus spongiosum was 4 to 20 mm. (mean 8.2). If the thin distal urethra had been excised, the urethral meatus would have been relocated more proximal in these boys. Mean followup in groups 1 and 2 was 9.9 and 7.6 months, respectively. Postoperatively there were 2 (11.1%) urethrocutaneous fistulas in group 1 and 4 (12.9%) in group 2. Tubularized incised plate repair was successful in all 10 cases (100%) of distal hypospadias in group 2, and in 15 of 18 (83.3%) and 17 of 21 (81%) of proximal hypospadias cases in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of hypospadias repair in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We noted a significantly thin distal urethra in 23.4% of our cases of primary hypospadias. Mean length of the thin distal urethra was 8.2 mm. Preserving the thin distal urethra may simplify the operative procedure without compromising the surgical results of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty.     

Effect of urethral plate characteristics on tubularized incised plate urethroplasty

PURPOSE: We determined outcomes of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty based on preoperative urethral plate configuration or width. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of consecutive prepubertal boys undergoing tubularized incised plate distal hypospadias repair were reviewed. The urethral plate was characterized as flat, cleft or deep, and results in each group were noted. In addition, the width of the plate after separation from the glans wings before midline incision was measured in some patients, with outcomes determined according to those less than 8 mm versus 8 mm or greater. RESULTS: Of 159 patients plate configuration was recorded in 143, widths in 48 and both in 46. Outcomes were determined at a mean of 8 months postoperatively. Overall, there were no cases of meatal stenosis and fistulas occurred in 3 patients (2%). No significant difference in results was predicted by plate configuration or width. CONCLUSIONS: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair has a low complication rate regardless of urethral plate configuration or width. Therefore, this procedure is potentially applicable in all cases of primary distal hypospadias.     

Bhat's modifications of Glassberg–Duckett repair to reduce complications in management severe hypospadias with curvature

ObjectiveDisadvantages of two-stage hypospadias repair are the necessity of 2 or 3 surgeries, loss of time/money, complications like splaying of the stream, dribbling of urine or ejaculate and milking of the ejaculate due to a poor-quality urethra. The current article details our modifications of flap repair allowing to manage such patients in one stage and reducing the complications.Subjects and methodsTwenty one patients (aged 2–23 years, between January 2006 and June 2012 mean 11.5 years) of severe hypospadias were managed with flap tube urethroplasty combined with TIP since June 2006 and June 2012. Curvature was corrected by penile de-gloving, mobilization of urethral plate/urethra with corpus spongiosum and transecting urethral plate at corona. Buck's fascia was dissected between the corporeal bodies and superficial corporotomies were done as required. Mobilized urethral plate was tubularized to reconstruct proximal urethra up to peno-scrotal junction and distal tube was reconstructed with raised inner preputial flap after measuring adequacy of skin width. Both neo-urethrae were anastomosed in elliptical shape and covered with spongiosum. Distal anastomosis was done 5–8 mm proximal to tip of glans preventing protrusion of skin on glans. Tubularized urethral plate was covered by spongioplasty. Skin tube was covered by dartos pedicle and fixed to corpora. Scrotoplasty was done in layers, covering the anastomosis.ResultsType of hypospadias was scrotal 10, perineo-scrotal 5, penoscrotal 4 and proximal penile in 2 cases. Chordee (severe 15 and moderate 6) correction was possible penile de-gloving with mobilization of urethral plate with spongiosum after dividing urethral plate at corona 8, next 5 cases required dissection of corporal bodies, superficial corporotomy 5 and 3 cases lateral dissection of Buck's fascia. Length of tubularized urethral plate varied from 3 to 5 cm and flap tube varied from 5.5 to 13 cm (average 7.5 cm). Complications were fistula 2, meatal stenosis 1, and dilated distal urethra1 with overall success rate of 81%. None of them had residual curvature, torsion, splaying or dribbling urine in follow up of 10–36 (average 18) months.ConclusionsTIPU with spongioplasty of proximal urethra and dartos cover on skin tube reconstructs functional urethra. Distal end skin sutured to glans mucosa 5–8 mm proximal to the tip of glans reconstructs a cosmetically normal looking meatus. An exact measurement of the width and length of the stretched dartos, fixation of the skin tube to the corpora and covering the skin tube with dartos helps in prevention of diverticula. Elliptical anastomosis covered with spongiosum prevents fistula and stricture at anastomotic site.     

Tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of one surgeon using tubularized incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty to repair proximal hypospadias in a consecutive series of boys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 33 consecutive patients with midshaft to scrotal hypospadias undergoing TIP repair by one surgeon were reviewed. Dorsal plication was used as necessary for penile straightening, to preserve the urethral plate. Standard TIP urethroplasty was undertaken, and the follow-up included the selective use of neourethral calibration and urethroscopy. RESULTS: Plication was necessary in 18 (55%) patients. The incised plate had a supple appearance in all but two boys. The mean (range) follow-up was 9 (1-48) months and included calibration in 16 (48%) and urethroscopy in 13 (39%) patients. Complications were noted in 11 (33%) boys, of whom seven (21%) developed small fistulae. The two patients in whom the incised plate appeared unhealthy had dehiscence of the repair and contracture of the neourethra with recurrent penile curvature, respectively. There was one meatal stenosis and one short neourethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: TIP urethroplasty can be used to repair proximal hypospadias in the absence of severe penile curvature, and if the incised urethral plate has a supple appearance. As with distal hypospadias repair, the procedure creates a normal-appearing penis with a slit-like meatus.     

Primary and salvage urethroplasty using Mathieu meatal-based flip-flap technique for distal hypospadias

BACKGROUND: Numerous surgical procedures have been attempted for correction of distal hypospadias. The Mathieu procedure was employed in this study for secondary cases as well as primary cases. METHODS: The length of the skin flap is determined by measuring the distance from the meatus to the glans tip and then the ventral meatal-based skin flap is incised. The proximal skin flap is flipped and anastomosed to the distal urethral plate. Additionally, subcutaneous tissue of the flipped flap is sutured to cover the original suture lines completely. RESULTS: The Mathieu urethroplasty was successful in one stage in 13 of the 16 primary repair cases (81%). Twelve of the 13 (92%) who underwent a secondary Mathieu procedure were successfully repaired with no problems. An overall success rate of 86% was achieved at the first operation for both primary and secondary cases. In the remaining 14% of the cases, success was achieved with only one additional procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The Mathieu flip-flap procedure is feasible for relatively short urethral defects if the ventral penile skin demonstrates adequate mobility and there is no chordee. Even in patients who require revisional hypospadias surgery, the Mathieu procedure can give excellent functional and cosmetic results.     

尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术治疗儿童尿道下裂

目的总结尿道板纵切卷管尿道成形术（tubalarized incised plate urethroplasty，TIP或Snodgrass手术）矫治尿道下裂的经验。方法回顾性总结分析2001年5月～2004年11月采用Snodgrass手术治疗的尿道下裂82例，年龄1岁6个月～16岁，平均5岁。将资料按前后时期、不同的病情特点分为前期手术组34例，后期手术组48例；其中近侧型组19例，远侧型和中段型组63例；初次手术组49例，再次手术组33例，对并发症发生情况进行分析。结果术后并发尿瘘12例，尿瘘发生率14．6％；阴茎头裂开1例。各组尿瘘情况：前期手术组11例（32．4％），后期手术组1例（2．1％）；近侧型组2例（10．5％），远侧型和中段型组10例（15．9％）；初次手术组8例（16．3％），再次手术组4例（12．1％）。尿瘘发生率，前期手术组与后期手术组差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），近侧型组与远侧型和中段型组、初次手术组与再次手术组之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。术后随访均在1个月以上，阴茎外观满意，尿道开口正位，排尿功能良好。其中15例连续随访1．5～6个月，平均3个月，平均尿流率7．8ml／s（6．8～10．5ml／s），最大尿流率均值10．5ml／s（8．8～14．5ml／s）结论Snodgrass手术适用于无弯曲或伴有轻度弯曲的各型尿道下裂以及再手术者，术后具有阴茎外观好、尿道口正位垂直裂隙状、排尿功能良好、并发症低的优点，但对有明显阴茎下曲、尿道板短缩者仍应首选带蒂包皮瓣手术。     

Clinical review of the 'Snodgrass' hypospadias repair

BACKGROUND: Snodgrass first described the tubularized, incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair in 1994 based on the concept of hingeing the incised urethral plate. The use of this technique allows a vertically orientated glanular meatus to be produced. A retrospective review of patients who had this procedure for the primary repair of distal hypospadias at New Children's Hospital was performed to objectively assess the cosmetic and functional outcomes of this technique. METHODS: All patients having a TIP urethroplasty for the primary repair of distal hypospadias between 1996 and 1998 were requested to attend for review in an independent clinic. The parents were interviewed and the patient was examined to determine meatal location, meatal size, glanular configuration, urinary stream, straightness of erections, cosmesis, and the presence or absence of cutaneous sinus tracts or a urethral fistula. RESULTS: Sixty patients were identified. Forty-nine were reviewed in person, 10 were reviewed by telephone and one could not be traced. The median age at surgery was 13 months (range: 6-144 months), with a median follow up of 27 months (range: 2-33 months). A glanular meatus was achieved in 57 patients (97%) and a conical glanular configuration was achieved in 58 patients (98%). The urinary stream and erections were straight in 54 (89%) and 58 patients (98%), respectively. Suture sinus tracts were present in 14 (24%) patients. Six patients (10%) developed a urethral fistula and three (5%) developed meatal stenosis. A good or satisfactory final cosmetic and functional result was achieved in 58 patients (98%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of TIP urethroplasty are satisfactory at New Children's Hospital with the benefit of a cosmetic final outcome similar to a circumcised penis.     

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for distal hypospadia,using overlapping dorsal subcutaneous flaps

This paper presents a newly developed simple procedure using overlapping vascularized dorsal dartos subcutaneous flaps to cover the neourethra after hypospadias correction. A 3-year old boy with distal hypospadias underwent the tubularized incised plate urethroplasty using this method. Postoperative complications, which include urethrocutaneous fistula, were not observed, but the glans did exhibit a vertical, slit-like meatus. Covering the neourethra with overlapping dorsal dartos flaps is expected to prevent the development of urethrocutaneous fistula in patients with distal hypospadias.