Surgical challenge in patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair: it is time to change?

Urol Int 2010; 85: 427-435

Introduction: Our purpose was to evaluate patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair.

Patients and methods: We evaluated 4 different groups of patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair. Group 1: patients who underwent only urethral surgery; group 2: patients who underwent only corpora cavernosa surgery; group 3: patients who underwent urethral and corpora cavernosa surgery; group 4: patients who underwent complex reconstructive surgery. Success was defined as a functional urethra without fistula, with glandular meatus and acceptable esthetic appearance of the genitalia.

Results: Out of 1,176 patients, group 1 included 301 patients (25.5%), group two 60 patients (5.2%), group three 166 patients (14.1%) and group four 649 patients (55.2%). The mean follow-up was 60.4 months. Out of 1,176 cases, 1,036 (88.1%) were considered successful and 140 (11.9%) failures.

Conclusion: In the majority of patients (55.2%) with failed hypospadias repair, urethral reconstruction is associated with complex surgical procedures to fully resurface glands, penile shaft and genitalia.