PURPOSE: Although there are some reports of the functional outcome after hypospadias surgery, long-term patient reported data on urinary symptoms are sparse. We evaluated the long-term outcome of urinary control in patients with hypospadias who were operated in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to 33 patients with hypospadias who were between 18 and 26 years old and had undergone the first operation at age 6 years or younger, and to 50 age matched controls. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (66.7%) and 38 controls (76.0%) returned the questionnaire. Mean age was 20.6 years in the hypospadias group and 21.0 years in the control group. Of the 22 patients 8 had mild and 11 had severe hypospadias, while severity was unknown in 3. Straight direction of the urinary stream was noted at a similar rate in the hypospadias and control groups (77% and 71%, respectively). Regarding the urinary stream, no subjects in either group reported it as bad or very bad. Of the hypospadias group 95% of subjects and 89% of controls reported mild or no urinary frequency bother. The incidence of individuals who always or mainly voided while standing was similar in the hypospadias and control groups (91% and 84%, respectively). However, 32% of subjects in the hypospadias group reported moderate or severe terminal dribbling, in contrast to only 3% of controls. When subjects with mild and severe hypospadias were compared, 4 of 11 (36%) with severe hypospadias needed to squeeze the urethra after voiding to eliminate residual urine in the urethra, whereas none with mild hypospadias needed to squeeze the urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with hypospadias mostly have good urinary control, terminal dribbling is not uncommon, especially in those with severe hypospadias.
PURPOSE: Although there are some reports of the functional outcome after hypospadias surgery, long-term patient reported data on urinary symptoms are sparse. We evaluated the long-term outcome of urinary control in patients with hypospadias who were operated in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to 33 patients with hypospadias who were between 18 and 26 years old and had undergone the first operation at age 6 years or younger, and to 50 age matched controls. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (66.7%) and 38 controls (76.0%) returned the questionnaire. Mean age was 20.6 years in the hypospadias group and 21.0 years in the control group. Of the 22 patients 8 had mild and 11 had severe hypospadias, while severity was unknown in 3. Straight direction of the urinary stream was noted at a similar rate in the hypospadias and control groups (77% and 71%, respectively). Regarding the urinary stream, no subjects in either group reported it as bad or very bad. Of the hypospadias group 95% of subjects and 89% of controls reported mild or no urinary frequency bother. The incidence of individuals who always or mainly voided while standing was similar in the hypospadias and control groups (91% and 84%, respectively). However, 32% of subjects in the hypospadias group reported moderate or severe terminal dribbling, in contrast to only 3% of controls. When subjects with mild and severe hypospadias were compared, 4 of 11 (36%) with severe hypospadias needed to squeeze the urethra after voiding to eliminate residual urine in the urethra, whereas none with mild hypospadias needed to squeeze the urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with hypospadias mostly have good urinary control, terminal dribbling is not uncommon, especially in those with severe hypospadias.