[Our experience in the treatment of proximal hypospadias in a single surgical intervention]

The surgical correction of proximal severe hypospadias, especially those with penoscrotal transposition (penis buried in scrotum), represents a true challenge for paediatric surgeons. A sequential approach to their repair is widely accepted, to preserve the vascularization of the neourethra and to avoid injuries in penis covering. In our experience, we believe that all hypospadias, even those associated with penoscrotal transposition, can be repaired in one surgical time by using a vascularized flap from dorsal prepuce in one or two layers (mucosal portion for urethra and skin face for ventral island).

From 1997 until 2007, 88 patients with proximal severe hypospadias have been operated. 35 patients associated penoscrotal transposition. Since 2005, we introduced a modification consisting in drawing the incisions following the own cutaneous folds resulting from the fusion of the lateral folds in penis skin.

We performed Duckett type urethroplasty in 10 patients, Onlay type flap in 74, Onlay with oral mucosa in 2 and vesical mucosa urethroplasty in 2 of them. The fistula rate needing surgical closure was 17% (15/88), urethral stenosis was present in 5 patients (5.7%, 1 vesical mucosa, 2 Duckett urethrolpasties and 2 Onlay flaps). Severe complications were represented by partial necrosis of the skin flap in 3 patients (3.4%) needing a reurethroplasty. 1 patient presented surgical wound infection without later problems. Before 2005, among the 22 patients with penoscrotal transposition, 5 needed a new cutaneoplasty, associated in 2 occasions to a dorsal Nesbitt plicature to obtain the complete penis alignment. From 2005 until now, None of the 13 patients presenting with penoscrotal transposition needed any posterior cutaneoplasty. The follow up goes from 1 month until 10 years (median 45 months). At present time, urine spurt shows a correct range in all cases and the penis is located out of scrotal bag except in one patient, waiting for a new plasty.

In our experience, we believe that all of the hypospadias may be repaired in a unique surgical time, including those of them associated with buried penis. Modification on skin incisions design following penoscrotal lateral folds with mucocutaneous preputial flap is an excellent option both for urethroplasty and correcting penis transposition.