"Hanging" of the buccal mucosal graft for urethral stricture repair after failed hypospadias

Purpose: Urethral stricture is the second most common complication of hypospadias repair after urethrocutaneous fistula. Usually more than 1 procedure is needed for correction due to a lack of available tissue after previous repairs. We evaluated 1-stage urethral stricture management after hypospadias repair using a ventral buccal mucosal graft. We describe the importance of graft hanging and coverage.

Materials and methods: From August 2004 to April 2009, 15 patients 9 to 17 years old underwent urethral stricture repair after failed hypospadias surgery. Mean time after primary surgery was 7.2 years (range 4 to 13). Vascularized periurethral tissue around the stenotic part of the neourethra was dissected. The urethra was opened ventrally and a buccal mucosal graft of appropriate size was inserted to allow urethral augmentation. Using several U stitches the graft was anchored to the surrounding periurethral tissue to prevent its folding and retraction. Recurrent chordee in 12 patients and secondary vesicoureteral reflux in 3 were also corrected at this time.

Results: Mean followup was 37 months (range 17 to 73). Successful results were confirmed in all patients by urethrography and uroflowmetry. One urethral fistula was corrected 3 months later by minor surgery. Recurvature did not develop in this group. There was no recurrent reflux in endoscopically treated patients.

Conclusions: Ventral buccal mucosal grafting is a simple, safe option for urethral stricture repair. Hanging the graft to periurethral tissue is important for its survival and to prevent postoperative folding and retraction.