Two-stage urethroplasty is a better choice for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection： a single-center experience

It is still debatable whether single- or two-stage urethroplasty is a more suitable technique for treating hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection. This retrospective study evaluated these two techniques. A total of 66 patients of proximal hypospadias with severe chordee were divided into two groups according to the techniques they underwent： 32 and 34 patients underwent single-stage （Duckett） or two-stage urethroplasty, respectively. Median ages at presentation were 7.5 years and 11.0 years in single-stage and two-stage repair groups, respectively. Median follow-ups were 28.5 months （20-60 months） and 35 months （18-60 months） in the single-stage and two-stage groups, respectively. The meatus of the neourethra was located at the top of the glans in all patients. No recurrence of chordee was found during follow-up, and all patients or parents were satisfied with the penile length and appearance. Complications were encountered in eight patients in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. The late complication rate of stricture was higher after the single-stage procedure （18.75% vs 0%）. The complication rate after single-stage repairs was significantly lower in the prepubescent subgroup （10.52%） than in the postpubescent cohort （46.15%）. These results indicate that the urethral plate transection effectively corrects severe chordee associated with proximal hypospadias during the intermediate follow-up period. Considering the higher rate of stricture after single-stage urethroplasty, two-stage urethroplasty is recommended for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection.

The role of tunica vaginalis flap in staged repair of hypospadias

Objective:The surgical repair of hypospadias is done in two stages in a select group of patients with severe anomaly.The first stage(Ⅰ)procedure consists of correction of penile shaft curvature and second stage(Ⅱ)repair involves the creation of a neourethra.This neourethra needs a cover of an intermediate layer in order to have good functional and cosmetic results.Among the various local flaps,tunica vaginalis flap is a good option for the use as an intermediate layer.Methods:We have managed 22 patients of chordee with hypospadias by staged repair.In Stage I,chordee correction was done by dividing the urethral plate and covering the penile shaft with dorsal prepucial flaps.In Stage Ⅱ,a neourethra was created and covered with tunica vaginalis flap either through the same incision(14/22)or via a subcutaneous tunnel(8/22).An indwelling catheter was kept for 10 to 12 days.Results:Eighteen(81.8%)patients had successful functional and cosmetic repair.Two patients(9.1%)had urethrocutaneous fistula of which one healed on subsequent dilatation while the other one(4.5%)needed repair.Overall fistula formation rate was 4.5%.In two patients,the external urinary meatus could be made upto subglanular or coronal level.Conclusion:Staged repair of chordee with hypospadias is valuable in selected group of patients and tunica vaginalis flap is an excellent intermediate layer to cover the neourethra.However preoperative counseling is particularly essential in patients where the external urinary meatus can be created at coronal or subglanular level.