Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for hypospadias reoperation: a review and meta-analysis

Purpose Tubularized Incised Plate (TIP) urethroplasty is a technique for urethral reconstruction of hypospadias although there are some controversies for its use in recurrent cases. The aim of this study was to review the results of TIP technique in various studies and the usage of different flaps for covering the repair site. Material and Methods Extensive Search was performed for articles published between 1994 and 2013 in common electronic databases. The overall TIP complication rates were estimated by a fixed effects model meta-analysis. Results 17 articles of hypospadia repair using the TIP method were reviewed. All studies performed surgery and repair on the basis of the Snodgrass’s method; however, some introduced modifications to the method. The prevalence of complications in repeated TIP surgery was 11.1 to 33.3% and the most prevalent complication in different studies was fistula. Based on the meta-analysis, the overall estimation of complications was 21.8 % (95% CI: 18.3 to 25.5). Conclusion Most studies performed the incision of the urethral plate to create a supportive coverage upon neourethra, and confirmed its success. We recommend further investigation on using different flaps in well-designed randomized controlled trials to choose the best surgical method for repairing recurrent hypospadias. .

Use of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for secondary hypospadias repair or repair in circumcised patients

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review our experience of the tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty in a series of re-operative hypospadias repairs or circumcised children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2001 and September 2007, 17 children (mean 4.6 years, range 7 months to 15 years), were referred for hypospadias re-operation. Some of these patients had previously undergone circumcision and missed hypospadias. In all cases, the TIP urethroplasty was covered with an additional layer of subcutaneous tissue or dartos flap. The original location, associated complications and results were recorded. RESULTS: There were 4 (30.7 percent), incidences of complications of TIP re-operation, 2 meatal stenosis, one stenosis with small fistula and one dehiscence. Re-operation was necessary in only one patient of our series (7.6 percent) and the others were cured by dilatation. No complications occurred in the circumcised patents. CONCLUSION: Using TIP urethroplasty as described by Snodgrass, is a suitable method for treating primary and re-operative cases. It can also be used successfully in patients, who do not have a healthy skin flap and in circumcised patients when there is a lack of foreskin.