Fascia lata grafts for closure of secondary urethral fistulas.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of fascia lata graft in the repair of secondary urethral fistulas. Urethral fistulas may result from a complication of hypospadias repair. The treatment of urethral fistulas is quite challenging.

METHODS

This technique was used in 8 patients between 2000 and 2002. All patients had undergone hypospadias repair and had recurrent fistula formation. A 2 x 2-cm fascia lata graft was harvested from the lateral aspect of the thigh. After repair of the fistula, the fascia lata graft was placed between the urethra and skin. The mean age of the patients was 8 years (range 5 to 13).

RESULTS

During 8 to 22 months (average 11) of follow-up, no recurrence of urethral fistula was observed. No complications occurred, and patients were completely satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that the fascia lata graft can be used for the closure of urethral fistula secondary to hypospadias repair. Additional studies are warranted.