The tunica-vaginalis flap to prevent postoperative fistula following severe hypospadias repair: Has the search for Holy Grail ended?

• Published in: Actas urológicas españolas (English ed.)
• Main Authors: Radhakrishnan, C N, Radhakrishna, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: 01-10-2021
• ISSN: 2173-5786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acuro.2020.06.015

INTRODUCTIONFistula following hypospadias repair remains a bane for the hypospadiologist resulting in the evolution of various techniques. Despite all these, the incidence of postoperative fistula varies between 10 to 30% and it increases with the severity of the hypospadias. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of tunica vaginalis flap in preventing fistula formation following severe hypospadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODSAn observational study was carried out in a tertiary center between 2008 and 2017. The study included children with severe hypospadias (proximal penile, penoscrotal, scrotal, and perineal). In all the patients, a tunica-vaginalis flap was used to buttress the urethroplasty. All the patients were followed up for at least a year after the completion of treatment. RESULTSA total of 210 patients were included in the study. Bracka's 2-stage repair was performed in 180 patients who had either penoscrotal hypospadias or a meatus even more proximal. The rest 30 patients with proximal penile hypospadias underwent a single-stage Snodgrass repair. Four (2%) patients developed a fistula, all following 2-stage repairs, and half of them required surgical repair. Two (1%) patients had a partial breakdown of repair and underwent a residual repair after 6 months. CONCLUSIONThe tunica-vaginalis flap is an excellent buttress in severe hypospadias repair. It is readily available, easy to harvest, with its good vascularity helps to significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative fistula.