Tubularized incised plate (TIP) in previously operated (redo) hypospadias

Abstract

Objective We report our experience of using the tubularized incised plate (TIP) technique for repair of hypospadias in patients who had undergone one or more failed attempts at repair. Methods A total of 30 children (age range 2–10 years; mean 4.3 years) with hypospadias presented to our unit for redo hypospadias. The number of prior repairs was as follows: one in 17 patients, two in eight patients and three in five patients. The meatus was at the distal shaft in 19 cases, mid shaft in eight cases, and proximal shaft in three cases. Preoperatively 13 patients had fistulae, and none had residual chordee. The urethral plates were judged to be surgically altered in 11 patients and unaltered in 19 patients. The neourethra was then reconstructed using the Snodgrass TIP technique. Follow-up urethral calibration was performed to assess the results. All patients were discharged same day postoperatively. All patients were followed up at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Patients were contacted in June/July 2005 and brought back for re-evaluation of the results. Results The cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory as judged by the parents. Overall complications were encountered in 7 patients (23%). Complications included six fistulae, five were associated with meatal stenosis and one with infection. Stand alone meatal stenosis occurred in three other cases of which only one required intervention. Fistula repair was successfully performed 6 months later in five patients with associated meatoplasty. One case had a revised repair. One case required meatotomy. Conclusion The TIP procedure is a viable option with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results for the correction of a previously failed hypospadias repair.