Intermediate-term functional and cosmetic results of the Snodgrass procedure in distal and midpenile hypospadias.

Abstract

We have evaluated the long-term functional and cosmetic results of the Snodgrass technique in the treatment of anterior and midpenile hypospadias. A total of 70 patients who presented in the period between 1997 and 2002 underwent the Snodgrass procedure for the treatment of hypospadias. Patients who had been operated on 2 or more years previously were recalled for evaluation. Of the 31 cases identified, 19 (61%) were contacted and came for reevaluation. Genital examination and urinary flow measurements were made. Maximum urinary flow rates and voided urine volumes were assessed using the nomograms described by Toguri et al. The mean age of the patients was 6 years (range 2-12) at the time of surgery and 8 years (range 4-17) at the time of evaluation, and the mean follow-up period was 3.1 years (range 2-5). Two patients had had at least one previous surgery, and 17 were primary patients. The hypospadiac meatus was anterior in 16 patients and midpenile in three. Although some patients had urinary spraying due to skin irregularity in the meatus during voiding, 18 patients had normal peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) corresponding to their age group. Only one patient in the equivocally obstructed group had meatal stenosis, which was corrected with meatotomy. All patients had a cosmetic view of a vertical slit tip of the glans. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) is a successful technique with good functional and cosmetic long-term results in distal hypospadias.