Two-stage repair for proximal hypospadias: a reappraisal

Two-stage flap repair of severe hypospadias: Usefulness of the tubularized incised plate urethroplasty

PURPOSE

The use of flaps in the two-stage repair of posterior hypospadias associated with severe chordee has been well established. Despite the almost certain guarantee of flap take, complications such as diverticuli are still relatively high. While different applications of the tubularized incised plate have been described, experience with the application of the technique to the two-stage flap repair is very limited. A previous local review of 15 cases performed at the present institution during the period 1998-2003, using the technique as described by Rekit, revealed fistulae and diverticulum rates of 20% and 27%, respectively. With the primary objective of improving surgical outcome, the midline incision was incorporated into the two-stage flap repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2004 and 2015, 35 boys (aged 2-15 years) with severe hypospadias that required excision of the urethral plate were operated using the two-stage flap technique. The first stage involved mobilization of preputeal or dorsal penile skin (if circumcised) to the ventral surface, as described by Retik. After a minimum interval of 6 months, the second-stage operation was performed in a way similar to the technique of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty, as popularized by Snodgrass, and involved a preliminary midline incision on the neo-urethral plate followed by tubularization and multilayered closure.

RESULTS

All but one flap took successfully. The outcome was satisfactory in 80% of patients, and there was a fistula rate of 14% ( Summary Table). One patient had a complete breakdown of the flap and was successfully treated about 12 months later by repeating the second stage of the operation. No case of diverticulum or stricture was recorded.

DISCUSSION

Even though there was a marginal improvement in the fistula rate, the most striking observation was the complete absence of diverticulum or stricture. With a reported incidence rate of 20-63%, different authors have reported diverticulum formation (despite the absence of distal obstruction) to be a major problem of the two-stage flap technique. Attempts by these authors at reducing the risk of diverticulum by reducing flap size have tended to increase the risk of strictures. This has been the main reason given by some authors for abandoning the technique. The main limitations of the present study included the wide age range of the patients and the small sample size.

CONCLUSION

The inclusion of a midline incision in a two-stage flap urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias appears to prevent the development of diverticulum.

Hypospadias repair: an overview of the actual techniques

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital genital anomalies for which surgery early in life is indicated. The surgical treatment is changing progressively, often by repeating treatment strategies that have been used decades ago. Indeed, historically two-stage procedures were replaced by one-stage procedures and nowadays two-stage procedures gain new interest. The same for reconstructions using the urethral plate, which decades ago were based on the Thiersch Duplay principle. In the 1980s, preputial onlay flaps were most often used and today we see a new interest in the use of the urethral plate. The actual surgical approach to hypospadias is described and technical details are given.

Autologous in vitro cultured urothelium in hypospadias repair

OBJECTIVE

To treat severe hypospadias with a transplant of autologous in vitro cultured urothelial cells on acellular dermis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During 2000-2002 six patients aged 14-44 months with severe hypospadias were treated surgically with autologous urothelial cell transplants. All were born with scrotal or perineal hypospadias and pronounced chordee. All patients were subjected to a two-staged procedure starting with repair of the chordee. Urothelial cell harvesting via bladder lavage was performed during the first operation. The neourethra was constructed by using a transplant with cultured urothelium in an on-lay fashion. Patients have been followed 3-5.5 years.

RESULTS

All six boys are voiding through their neourethra without straining and have no residual urine after micturition. Five patients are using a standing voiding position and present bell shaped, urinary flow curves. One developed a stricture treated conservatively with persisting good effect (after more than 5 years). Two developed a fistula requiring surgical correction that was uneventful. The last patient developed an obstruction in the proximal anastomosis that was treated with an internal urethrotomy. Cosmetic appearance is good in all cases with good parental satisfaction. Urethroscopy in all patients show a wide penile neourethra. Biopsies indicate a mucosal lining consisting of urothelial cells in three cases.

CONCLUSION

This technique is feasible for treatment of a selected group of hypospadias where pronounced chordee and shortage of preputial and penile skin complicates the creation of a neourethra. It may have other clinical implications including disorders such as bladder exstrophy and cloacal malformations, as well as mutilating traumatic injuries or cancer therapy.