INTRODUCTION: Perimeatal flap (Mathieu) and tubularized incised-plate (Snodgrass) methods were compared regarding success rate, postoperative complications, and cosmetic appearance in primary and recurrent distal hypospadias cases with normal urethral plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2001 Snodgrass-type repair was done in 32 primary and in 24 recurrent hypospadias cases (total 56 patients; mean age 5.8, age range 3-17 years), and Mathieu-type repair was done in 33 primary and in 21 recurrent distal hypospadias cases (total 54 patients; mean age 5.2, age range 2-19 years). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding demographics. Patients with primary hypospadias either without or with minimal chordee and patients with recurrent hypospadias only with a normal urethral plate were included in the study. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 24 months. RESULTS: Meatal stricture formation, fistula formation, wound dehiscence, and flap necrosis were seen in 2, 4, 4, and 2 patients, respectively, treated with the Mathieu technique and in 5, 4, 3, and 0 patients, respectively, treated with the Snodgrass technique. Wound dehiscence and flap necrosis were seen less frequently, whereas meatal stenosis was more common in the Snodgrass group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p > 0.05, respectively; chi(2) test). There was no difference between groups regarding fistula formation. Mean hospital stay, time to stent withdrawal, and urinary diversion period were shorter in the Mathieu group (7.5 +/- 1.19 vs. 5.7 +/- 1.38 days, 7.1 +/- 0.67 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.85 days, and 14.1 +/- 1.17 vs. 10.2 +/- 1.72 days, respectively; p < 0.001 for all). The total success rates were similar (78.6% in the Snodgrass group and 77.8% in the Mathieu group). Cosmetic appearance was highly satisfactory in the Snodgrass group. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the Snodgrass method should be preferred for primary and recurrent hypospadias cases without chordee or with minimal chordee and with a normal urethral plate due to its lower complication rate and its satisfactory cosmetic appearance. However, when a healthy urethral plate is not available, Mathieu-type repair can be preferred. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
INTRODUCTION: Perimeatal flap (Mathieu) and tubularized incised-plate (Snodgrass) methods were compared regarding success rate, postoperative complications, and cosmetic appearance in primary and recurrent distal hypospadias cases with normal urethral plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2001 Snodgrass-type repair was done in 32 primary and in 24 recurrent hypospadias cases (total 56 patients; mean age 5.8, age range 3-17 years), and Mathieu-type repair was done in 33 primary and in 21 recurrent distal hypospadias cases (total 54 patients; mean age 5.2, age range 2-19 years). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding demographics. Patients with primary hypospadias either without or with minimal chordee and patients with recurrent hypospadias only with a normal urethral plate were included in the study. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 24 months. RESULTS: Meatal stricture formation, fistula formation, wound dehiscence, and flap necrosis were seen in 2, 4, 4, and 2 patients, respectively, treated with the Mathieu technique and in 5, 4, 3, and 0 patients, respectively, treated with the Snodgrass technique. Wound dehiscence and flap necrosis were seen less frequently, whereas meatal stenosis was more common in the Snodgrass group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p > 0.05, respectively; chi(2) test). There was no difference between groups regarding fistula formation. Mean hospital stay, time to stent withdrawal, and urinary diversion period were shorter in the Mathieu group (7.5 +/- 1.19 vs. 5.7 +/- 1.38 days, 7.1 +/- 0.67 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.85 days, and 14.1 +/- 1.17 vs. 10.2 +/- 1.72 days, respectively; p < 0.001 for all). The total success rates were similar (78.6% in the Snodgrass group and 77.8% in the Mathieu group). Cosmetic appearance was highly satisfactory in the Snodgrass group. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the Snodgrass method should be preferred for primary and recurrent hypospadias cases without chordee or with minimal chordee and with a normal urethral plate due to its lower complication rate and its satisfactory cosmetic appearance. However, when a healthy urethral plate is not available, Mathieu-type repair can be preferred. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel