Suture tracks after hypospadias repair

Distal extension of the midline urethral-plate incision in the Snodgrass hypospadias repair: An objective assessment of the functional and cosmetic outcomes

Objectives

To objectively assess the functional and cosmetic outcomes of a modified tubularised incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty (Snodgrass) technique, with particular attention to the uroflowmetry study and Hypospadias Objective Scoring Evaluation (HOSE) score.

Patients and methods

In a prospective case-series study, 43 consecutive patients with primary distal hypospadias were evaluated. The modified Snodgrass technique included an extension of the midline relaxing incision of the urethral plate from within the hypospadiac meatus to the very tip of the glans. The neourethra was tubularised starting at the neomeatus and proceeding proximally. The neourethra was covered with either a single or double dartos flap. In toilet-trained boys, at least 3 months after surgery, the flow pattern, maximum (Q_max), and mean urinary flow rate (Q_ave) were recorded, and the results plotted against a recently published flow-rate nomogram from normal children. The postvoid residual urine volume was measured using ultrasonography. The cosmetic outcome was assessed using the HOSE system.

Results

The native meatus was coronal in 11 (26%), subcoronal in 23 (53%) and distal penile in nine (21%) of the patients. The median (range) age was 4.2 (0.5–14) years. The neourethra was covered by a single dorsal dartos flap in 25 and a double dartos flap in 18 patients. At a median (range) follow-up of 6 (3–24) months, the uroflowmetry findings in 26 uncomplicated toilet-trained boys with a median (range) age of 5.2 (3.3–14) years showed an abnormal Q_max below the fifth percentile in four (15%), with the Q_ave above the fifth percentile in all. The flow pattern was bell-shaped in nine boys (35%), interrupted/intermittent in five (19%), slightly flattened in 10 (39%) and a plateau in two (8%). A vertical slit-like meatus located at the distal glans was created in 39 (91%) boys, and at the proximal glans in four (9%). The urinary stream was single and straight in 39 and angled in four patients. A straight erection was observed in 42 (98%) boys. Four patients had preoperative mild penile torsion of <45°, that was corrected by surgery. The mean (SD, range) HOSE score was 15.8 (0.6, 13–16). Two patients had a small, single subcoronal fistula.

Conclusion

Extending the midline urethral plate-incision in the modified Snodgrass repair to the apical part of the glans can be done safely with a high rate of locating the neomeatus at the glans tip, with no resultant meatal stenosis. The functional and cosmetic results of the procedure are good, but long-term data and comparative studies are required to confirm these results.

Vascularized Dartos Flap in Conjunction with Tubularized Incised Plate Urethroplasty: Single versus Double Flaps for Management of Distal Hypospadias

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of Snodgrass repair with single versus double vascularized dartos pedicle flap for neouretheral coverage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-eight pediatric patients with mean age 41.5 ± 21 months (range 9-96 months) underwent primary hypospadias repair, 39 uncircumcised and 19 circumcised, classified into 2 groups according to coverage of the neourethra. Single layer coverage (Group I) was performed in 28 (48.3%) while double layers coverage (Group II) was done in 30 (51.7%) cases.

RESULTS

After mean follow-up 8.6 ± 5.4 months (range 3-24 months), good cosmetic results with vertical slit like meatus at the tip of conical shaped glans were obtained in 53 cases (91.4%). Totally 5 cases occurred postoperative complications, of which 4 cases in Group I [2 (7.1%) with urethrocutaneous fistula, 1 (3.6%) with meatal stenosis and 1 (3.6%) with skin necrosis], 1 case in Group II [glanular dehiscence (3.3%)]. No fistula was observed in Group II.

CONCLUSION

The Snodgrass tubularized incised-plate repair in conjunction with double layer coverage of the neourethra could be considered the procedure of choice for distal hypospadias with low complications rate especially urethrocutaneous fistula.

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for distal hypospadias: A literature review

The tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty or Snodgrass procedure has gained worldwide acceptance for distal hypospadias repair due to its low complication rate, good cosmetic result, and technical simplicity. As a result, several articles have been published concerning various aspects and subtle variations of this procedure. The aim of this review is to critically and systematically analyze the published complication rates of TIP repair for distal hypospadias in children. We also reviewed the surgical modifications that have been introduced to the original technique and discussed the potential impact on the final outcome of the Snodgrass procedure.

Factors affecting the outcome of foreskin reconstruction in hypospadias surgery

OBJECTIVE

Despite ongoing refinement of numerous techniques, the incidence of complications following hypospadias repair is still significant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that affect the success in childhood of foreskin reconstruction with hypospadias repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out of all primary hypospadias repairs with foreskin reconstruction (n=408) over the last 23 years. The hypospadias was coronal in 160 (39%), glanular in 114 (28%), subcoronal in 78 (19%) and distal penile in 56 (14%) cases. Foreskin reconstruction was included in 362 cases suitable for a meatal advancement (191) or distal urethral tubularization (171), and 46 cases for a flip-flap procedure (37 Mathieu, nine Barcat). Outcome analysis was of foreskin-related complications post surgery.

RESULTS

Foreskin repair was successful in 333 cases (92%) that underwent meatal advancement/distal urethral tubularization, and 33 (72%) that underwent a flip-flap operation. Complications related to the foreskin occurred in 10% of the whole group with a urethral fistula rate of 8%. The median age at surgery was 13 months (2-120 months), and the median follow-up period was 11 months (1-100 months).

CONCLUSIONS

A good cosmetic and functional outcome can be achieved with foreskin reconstruction combined with a variety of hypospadias repairs. The outcome in this series was better in cases of distal hypospadias using interrupted polyglactin sutures.

Tubularized incised plate (TIP) hypospadias repair

In the past 6 years TIP urethroplasty has become a preferred technique for distal hypospadias repair, and has also been used for proximal lesions and reoperations. In this article technical aspects of the procedure are described and published outcomes reviewed. TIP hypospadias repair has gained widespread acceptance because of its versatility, low complication rate and reliable creation of a vertically-oriented meatus.

Urethral reconstruction in children

For hypospadias repair tubularized incised plate urethroplasty provides excellent cosmetic and functional results. It appears to provide equivalent or even better outcomes than other standard procedures. However, long-term results are still lacking. Free grafts show similar complication rates to those with pedicled flaps, and onlays appear to be superior to tubes. By respecting the anatomy and with the use of a few surgical tricks, the fistula rate can be significantly reduced. For epispadias repair, the modified Cantwell-Ransley repair and the complete disassembly technique show good postoperative results, the latter being able to restore the normal anatomical relationship of the male genital components.

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.