Megameatus intact prepuce hypospadias variant: application of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVES

The characteristics of the megameatus intact prepuce (MIP) hypospadias variant present a unique challenge to surgeons. Dissatisfaction with the results of conventional repair methods led to the emergence of several alternative surgical approaches, including the glanular approximation (GAP) and pyramid procedures. The application of tubularized, incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty has not been documented in this setting.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients (mean age 18.5 months, range 6 to 60) presented with MIP. They had all been circumcised. The meatus was glanular in 6, coronal in 15, and distal shaft in 3 patients. Glanular MIP was repaired by meatal advancement and glanuloplasty (n = 2) or the GAP technique (n = 4). Coronal MIP was repaired by the GAP (n = 7) or TIP urethroplasty (n = 8), and distal shaft MIP was repaired by TIP urethroplasty (n = 3). Stents or catheters were used only with TIP urethroplasty. The mean follow-up period was 40 months (range 8 to 80).

RESULTS

Satisfactory cosmetic and functional results were achieved in 20 patients (83%). The other 4 patients included 1 patient who underwent GAP and meatoplasty and 3 of the 11 patients who underwent TIP urethroplasty, of whom 2 underwent meatoplasty and 1 simple local repair of a urethrocutaneous fistula without the need for urethral reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The success rates for all selected techniques were satisfactory. TIP urethroplasty can be successfully used in the more severe, proximal forms of MIP.