Hypospadias repair using laser welding of ventral skin flap in rabbits: comparison with sutured repair.

We tested the feasibility of laser welding in hypospadias repair. A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits (2 groups of 15) underwent creation of distal hypospadias. In the control group ventrally placed skin flaps were created and sutured to the urethra. In the experimental group the ventrally placed skin flaps were welded to the urethra using a continuous wave diode laser (808 plus or minus 1 nm., 6.25 watts per cm.2). The welded anastomoses were strengthened by applying a solder of fibrinogen combined with a laser energy-absorbing dye. No stents were left indwelling. Operative time using laser welding was considerably less than that with sutured repair. No fistulas were seen in the welded urethras, and no significant foreign body reaction was identified in the laser welded repairs. Hypospadias repair in the rabbit using the laser welding technique seems to be a feasible alternative to suture repair. Topical energy-absorbing dyes that enhance thermosetting solders further increase weld strength while reducing collateral thermal damage to target tissues.