Objective: To describe the tubularized incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty for distal and proximal hypospadias.
Patients and methods: TIP urethroplasty was undertaken in 83 consecutive boys (mean age 14.1 months, sd 7.8) within the past 3 years; 65 (78%) had distal and 18 (22%) proximal penile hypospadias. This was the primary attempt at hypospadias repair in all children.
Results: All patients were assessed 7 days after surgery at the time of dressing and catheter removal, and subsequently at a median of 4 months in the clinic, before being discharged. The overall late complication rate was 12% and 10% required a second operation. There was a urethrocutaneous fistula in three (5%) of those with distal and in one of the 18 with proximal penile hypospadias (P = 0.56). Glans dehiscence in distal hypospadias occurred in one (1%) and three, respectively (P = 0.01). Secondary surgery for fistula repair and glans closure was successful in all patients. All children void with a single straight urinary stream in a forward direction, and have a normally situated vertical slit-like glanular meatus.
Conclusions: TIP urethroplasty is a versatile, simple operation with good cosmetic results, which uses the urethral plate to its maximum potential.