Outpatient catheterless Mathieu repair: how to cover ventral penile skin defect

A modification of the Mathieu repair eliminating stenting has been described by Rabinowitz which makes the method more convenient for outpatient performance. We report on our experience with this modification with special emphasis on coverage of ventral penile skin defect. To cover the raw area formed on the ventral aspect of penis with the creation of meatal based flap Rabinowitz used Byar's flap. Two different flaps prepared from prepuce were used in this series. In some patients an island flap was used. In others the prepuce was incised transversally on its dorsal aspect and transferred to the ventral surface as a bipedicle visor flap, as described by Ombrédanne and popularized by Nesbit. Twenty-two patients ranging in age from one to twelve years (mean +/- 1SD = 6 +/- 3.28) were operated on using the technique. The meatus was glandular in two, coronal in twelve and distal penile in eight patients. Preputial flap was not used in one patient because the defect was small. Island flap was used in three and Ombrédanne-Nesbit's flap in 18 patients. Complete disruption of the repair occurred in one of the patients in whom an island flap was used. Among 18 patients in whom Ombrédanne-Nesbit's flap was used, one partial necrosis of the preputial flap was encountered which required revision and two urethrocutaneus fistulae occurred which healed spontaneously. The use of the present technique yields a good cosmetic result, a high success rate with minimal complications, and eliminates catheterization; hence, hospitalization is recommended.