Use of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for secondary hypospadias repair or repair in circumcised patients

Abstract

Purpose: To retrospectively review our experience of the tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty in a series of reoperative hypospadias repairs or circumcised children. Materials and Methods: Between September 2001 and September 2007, 17 children (mean 4.6 years, range 7 months to 15 years), were referred for hypospadias re-operation. Some of these patients had previously undergone circumcision and missed hypospadias. In all cases, the TIP urethroplasty was covered with an additional layer of subcutaneous tissue or dartos flap. The original location, associated complications and results were recorded. Results: There were 4 (30.7%), incidences of complications of TIP re-operation, 2 meatal stenosis, one stenosis with small fistula and one dehiscence. Re-operation was necessary in only one patient of our series (7.6%) and the others were cured by dilatation. No complications occurred in the circumcised patents. Conclusion: Using TIP urethroplasty as described by Snodgrass, is a suitable method for treating primary and re-operative cases. It can also be used successfully in patients, who do not have a healthy skin flap and in circumcised patients when there is a lack of foreskin.