Comparison of outcomes of tubularized incised plate hypospadias repair and circumcision: a questionnaire-based survey of parents and surgeon.

AIM: We administered a standardized questionnaire to parents and operating surgeon to determine their opinions regarding outcomes from tubularized incised plate (TIP) hypospadias repair.

METHODS

Likert scale questionnaires were used to assess six outcomes: overall penile appearance, cosmesis of meatus and skin, penile size, straightness during erection, and voided stream. These were answered by consecutive parents of boys 6 weeks following TIP hypospadias repair, as well as by the surgeon. Controls were normal boys 6 weeks after elective circumcision, with their parents and the surgeon answering the same questionnaires.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in responses between parents of boys undergoing TIP repair for distal (n=50) to proximal (n=15) hypospadias compared to parents of normal boys undergoing elective circumcision (n=22). Surgeon impressions of cosmetic results were slightly, but significantly, more favorable than those of parents. Surgeon scores were higher for distal versus proximal hypospadias outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides objective evidence that parents consider TIP hypospadias repair to create a normally functioning and appearing penis. Parent and surgeon opinions of cosmetic outcomes were similar, although surgeon impressions were more favorable.