A comparative study of two operative procedures in anterior hypospadias repair: limited urethral mobilization and tubularized incised plate urethroplasty.

Objectives: This study is aimed to compare the results of limited urethral mobilization and tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in the management of anterior hypospadias, in terms of cosmetic and functional outcomes, complication rate, operative time, and hospital stay. Study Design: Prospective Randomized Controlled study. Settings: Department of Pediatric Surgery, DHQ Teaching Hospital Sahiwal. Period: January 2019 to December 2020. Material and Methods: A total of 89 patients with anterior hypospadias were included. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. In group A, limited urethral mobilization was performed and in group B, tubularized incised plate urethroplasty was carried out. A self-structured performa was used to collect the data of all patients. Both groups were compared in terms of the operation time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, cosmetic appearance, and functional outcomes. Results: Forty-five patients were included in group A, age ranged from 2.5 to 12 years (mean 4.83years). Forty-four patients were included in group B and their ages ranged from 3.5 to 11years (mean 4.76 years). The operation time was significantly less for group A than for group B. In group A, it ranged from 54 to 69 min with an average time of 60.51 min and in group B from 70 to 88 min, with an average of 79.34 min. The mean hospital stay period in group A was 7.37 days, ranged from 7 to 9 days, and in group B was 11.04 days, ranging from 10 to 13 days. The mean follow-up period in both groups was 7.45 months, ranging from 3 months to 12 months. Meatal stenosis was the most common complication in group A, which developed in 6.66% (n=3) patients. Urethrocutaneous fistula was the most common complication in group B, which developed in 6.81% (n=3) patients. Cosmetic appearance and functional outcome were good and comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Although both techniques, tubularized incised plate and limited urethral mobilization urethroplasty are acceptable modalities for the management of anterior hypospadias. But limited urethral mobilization urethroplasty seems to be a good option due to its simplicity, short hospital stay, significant shorter operative time, low fistula formation rate, and good cosmetic and functional outcomes.