A Retrospective Assessment of Soft Tissue Interposition during Redo Surgery for Postoperative Hypospadias Repair-Related Complications

Abstract

Introduction

To evaluate two established soft tissue interposition techniques used during redo surgery for selected posturethroplasty complications of hypospadias surgery.

Materials and Methods

Patients with complications who had interposition of scrotal fat, tunica vaginalis fascia, or external spermatic fascia identified from all hypospadias patients presenting to a single institute treated by a single surgeon between 2003 and 2019 (n = 217) were reviewed retrospectively. Urethrocutaneous fistula repair and minor cosmetic corrections were excluded.

Results

Eight cases had 10 complications: residual penile curvature > 30 degrees (n = 5), urethral diverticulum > 15 mm (n = 3), urethral dehiscence (n = 1), and urethral stricture (n = 1). All were Japanese. Hypospadias was perineal/penoscrotal (n = 7) or midshaft (n = 1). Initial procedures performed in infancy were single-stage urethroplasty (n = 4) or multistage urethroplasty (n = 4). Ages at first soft tissue interposition during redo single-stage urethroplasty (n = 1) or multistage urethroplasty (n = 7; two-stage: n = 4, three-stage: n = 3) ranged from 4.2 to 46.5 years old. All had their neourethras covered and four also had their scarred urethral plates reinforced laterally. There have been no complications during a mean of 5.6-year follow-up after the last procedure (range: 3.4–8.3 years) and all expressed satisfaction with cosmetic and functional outcomes including standing urination. Tissues for interposition were harvested easily without injuring surrounding structures such as the vas deferens or testicular vessels, even though previous surgery had caused extensive adhesions and structural disruption.

Conclusion

Unlike reinforcement with tunica dartos fascia, soft tissue interposition specifically boosts tissue thickness and perfusion at the operative site during redo surgery for technically challenging posturethroplasty complications.

Keywords

hypospadias - reoperation - soft tissue interposition - posturethroplasty - complications

Ethics

This study was approved by the Juntendo University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB#: H20-0309) and complies with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 (revised 1983).

Publication History

Received: 22 May 2024

Accepted: 15 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
17 April 2025

Article published online:
19 May 2025

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