Combined use of perimeatal-based flap urethroplasty (Mathieu) with midline incision or urethral plate in hypospadias repair.

Perimeatal-based flap urethroplasty is commonly used for the primary correction of distal hypospadias. The Mathieu repair provides excellent function and satisfactory cosmetic results, but the risk of devascularisation of the neourethral flap is an inherent problem of this technique. The midline incision of the urethral plate is part of the Snodgrass method, which offers good urethral calibre and tension-free closure. Our aim was to test the effectiveness of the use of the perimeatal-based flap combined with a midline incision of the urethral plate in hypospadias repair. 19 boys, aged 20 months to 5 years, with distal hypospadias, underwent a one-stage repair using the above-described modification of the Mathieu technique. The meatal-based flap with a midline incision of the urethral plate was similar in all cases. The hypospadias repair was successful in all patients, only one boy developed a urethrocutaneous fistula which required subsequent operation. There was no postoperative scarring, chordee or urethral stricture during follow-up. Hypospadias repair using a perimeatal-based skin flap and combined with an incision of the urethral plate reduces complication rates and offers good cosmetic results.