Curative effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment on hypospadias with micropenis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the curative effectiveness and safety of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) treatment on children with microphallic hypospadias. Methods A total of 48 consecutive children with microphalic hypospadias were enrolled in the study, and the children were randomized into the experiment group(HCG treatment) and the control group with the research randomizer.The patients in experiment group were treated with HCG prior to surgery, and the control group did not received any hormone therapy preoperatively.All children in the experiment group and the control group underwent hypospadias repair by using transverse preputial island flap (Duckett technique) urethroplasty.Penile length, diameter of glans penis, bone age, serum testosterone level, and secondary effects were recorded before and after therapy in the experiment group.Postoperative complications were assessed with respect to fistulas, urethral strictures, diverticula, meatal stenosis, and glanular dehiscence in both groups. Results (1)Mean penile length and diameter of the experiment group increased significantly by (1.08±0.47) cm (t=-5.196, P<0.05) and (0.31±0.06) cm and there was a significant difference between before and after treatment (t=-5.080, P<0.05). (2)Urethrocutaneous fistulas were observed in 8 patients in the control group compared to 2 patients in the experiment group with a statistically significant difference (χ2=4.547, P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the overall reoperation rates of control group (9 patients) and the experiment group (3 patients, χ2=4.000, P<0.05). The penile tissue of the patients in the experiment group was soft and able to be easily separated and released during the operation and the flap had more blood supply. Conclusions Pretreatment with HCG therapy prior to hypospadias repair is beneficial to children with microphallic hypospadias.Significant penile growth was seen in the children treated with HCG and there was no obvious side effect.Moreover, pretreatment with HCG is beneficial to decrease the complications and reoperation rates of hypospadias repair which proves to be effective and safe. Key words: Human chorionic gonadotropin; Hypospadias; Micropenis; Curative effect