Objective: To evaluate the effect of glanular and urethral catheter fixation to the abdominal skin on wound dehiscence.
Material and methods: After a standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) for hypospadias repair, 128 patients were divided into two groups based on glanular and urethral catheter fixation to the abdominal skin as follows: no glanular and urethral catheter fixation (Group A) and glanular and urethral catheter fixation (Group B). Groups A and B included 61 and 67 patients, respectively.
Results: No significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to age, meatal localization, and length of hospital stay. Wound dehiscence was noted in 13.1% and 2.9% patients in Groups A and B, respectively, after surgery (p=0.029, odds ratio=4.9). Patients in Group B had no excessive analgesic usage and unpleasant scarring due to the glans suture.
Conclusion: Glanular and urethral catheter fixation to the lower abdominal skin considerably reduced wound dehiscence after hypospadias repair.