[Erythropoietin before severe hypospadias repair: fewer complications?]

To study the effect of a preparation by erythropoietin before Onlay's intervention on postoperative hematocrits and medium-term results of the surgery.

Twenty-one patients were operated on by Onlay's technique between 2001 January and 2008 September, after being treated by erythropoietin. Seven had a midshaft hypospadias, two a posterior hypospadias and 12 a penoscrotal hypospadias. All children were examinated four months after surgery to evaluate the surgical results.

After the surgery, 18 children had an apical meatus (85.7%). Three had a balanopreputial meatus, two a stenosis of the meatus. Two children were reoperated on, one with the Duplay's technique, the other for a meatostomy. No fistula, no necrosis of the preputial flap was observed. The preoperative hematocrit was measured at 41%, with an increase of 3.8% because of the preparation. Peroperative blood loss was evaluated at 6.6%. After surgery, 12 children had an hematocrit inferior than 35%, four an hematocrit inferior than 30%. No transfusion was needed.

Preparation by erythropoietin before severe hypospadias surgery seemed to have several advantages: a more elevated hematocrit after surgery than with an iron preparation alone, and a lower rate of postoperative complications, including fistulas and necrosis of the preputial flap.