Urethral reconstruction using lingual mucosal graft for the treatment of complex hypospadias

Abstract

To review and summarize the experience of urethral reconstruction using lingual mucosal graft for the treatment of complex hypospadias. We evaluated the methods using lingual mucosal graft for the treatment of complex hypospadias. The dorsal inlay graft method and the tube graft method were used in our study. From Nov. 2010 to Oct. 2011,21 cases were treated. All the cases had at least one failed hypospadisa surgery before. The dorasl inlay grafting technique was used for 16 patients, the tube grafting technique was carried out in 5 patients(2 cases received Tube + Duply method). The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 12 months (by average 6 months). The success rate of the methods was 61.9% with complications in 8 cases. Urethral fistula developed in 3 patients and urethral stricture developed in 5 patients. All cases who suffered stricture received the tube grafting technique. The fistula and urethral stricture were occurred at the site of the urethral termonoterminal anostomosis. Urethral stricture is the most common complication after the tube graft method for the treatment of the complex hypospadias. Harvesting the lingual mucosal graft is feasible and easy to perform. The complex hypospadias repair technique using lingual mucosal graft method provides good results. There fore it should be one of the preferred techniques for complex hypospadias repair. The dorsal inlay grafting technique has lower complication rate than the tube grafting technique. Early and regular urethral sounding should be carried out when patients received the tube graft method.