A modified onlay island flap vs. Mathieu urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair: A prospective randomised study

Objective: To compare the outcome of a modified onlay island flap (MOIF) with that of the Mathieu urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair.

Patients and methods: In a prospective randomised study, 60 patients with coronal, subcoronal and distal penile hypospadias, with a urethral plate width of ⩽6 mm, and minimal or no chordee, underwent either MOIF using a midline longitudinal outer preputial skin flap passed ventrally by penile buttonholing through dartos fascia incision, or a Mathieu urethroplasty. Closed envelopes were used for randomly selecting patients for each procedure. The operative duration, complications, cosmetic outcome, urinary stream and relatives' satisfaction were reported for each procedure.

Results: Preoperative data (patients' age and site of urethral meatus) and operative duration were insignificantly different between the groups (P = 0.653, 0.786 and 0.710, respectively). There were no intraoperative complications in either group. The duration of follow-up was insignificantly different between the groups. Patients treated with the MOIF had a statistically significant lower complication rate (P = 0.036), and a better cosmetic outcome, urinary stream and relatives' satisfaction (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions: The MOIF urethroplasty seemed to be better than the Mathieu urethroplasty in patients with distal hypospadias and narrow urethral plates. Further studies including more patients, and a longer follow-up with an objective evaluation of functional outcome should be encouraged to confirm these early results.