Mathieu hypospadias repair: experience in 202 patients

The complication rate after Mathieu hypospadias repair was recently reported to be 3.6% in unstented cases. We reviewed our experience and results of the Mathieu repair performed at our institution during the last 5 years.

We performed 197 primary and 5 secondary repairs in 202 patients. Reconstruction of the neourethra was done with a 2-layer anastomosis using optical magnification. Urethral stents were placed for postoperative drainage in all but 1 patient. Followup was up to 54 months.

There were no incidences of stent migration or symptomatic urinary tract infection while the stent was in place and all patients voided spontaneously after stent removal. Excellent cosmetic results were obtained in 201 cases. In 1 patient meatal retraction required subsequent meatoplasty with meatal advancement. In 2 patients pinpoint urethrocutaneous fistulas were successfully repaired. The total rate of reoperation was 1.5% in our series. There was no report of urethral stricture during followup.

The well established Mathieu repair provides excellent cosmetic and functional results. The overall complication rate is minimal and compares favorably with stentless repair. A 2-layer neourethral anastomosis performed under sufficient optical magnification produces a watertight closure with minimal risk of fistula formation. Postoperative urethral stenting decreases this risk even further, while adding only minimal morbidity. We believe that in the era of newly reported techniques the well established Mathieu procedure should be the standard by which distal repair is judged.