The double-face onlay-tube-onlay transverse preputial flap: An advantageous alternative to the two-stage hypospadias repair?

Abstract

To compare the surgical outcomes and complications of boys who underwent double-face onlay-tube-onlay transverse preputial island flap (DFOTO) one-stage repair vs. two-stage repair for proximal hypospadias. Males with proximal hypospadias who underwent DFOTO or two-stage repair at a single institution from 2008 to 2021 were identified. Patients who had prior hypospadias surgery were excluded. Outcomes were surgical complications, number of surgical procedures, operative time, and post-operative uroflowmetry results. Fifty-three males who underwent DFOTO and 39 who underwent two-stage repair were included. Median age at surgery was 1.1 years (IQR 0.83-1.6) and median follow-up was 3.0 years (IQR 1.2-6.8). Although not statistically significant, the DFOTO group had higher rates of urethrocutaneous fistula (30% vs. 15%, p=0.10), urethral stricture (15% vs. 3%, p=0.07) and urethral diverticulum (8% vs. 3%, p=0.39). Although the unplanned re-operation rate was higher in DFOTO (58% vs. 33%, p=0.02), the mean number of procedures and median total surgical time were lower in DFOTO (1.8±0.9 vs. 2.4±0.8, p=0.0004; 337min [IQR 278-460] vs. 468 min [IQR 400-563], p=0.008). There were no significant differences between groups for mean peak flow rates and post void residuals. In males who underwent DFOTO, 42% achieved completion of their proximal hypospadias repair with one operation, while the remainder had largely minor complications. Accounting for reoperation rates, the mean number of procedures per patient was lower in the DFOTO group. Comparable results can be achieved with both techniques; the risks of higher unplanned operation rates in the DFOTO group should be considered with the benefit of fewer total procedures.