Combined Use of Mathieu Procedure with Plate Incision for Hypospadias Repair: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: To introduce a simple and effective technique for urethroplasty of distal hypospadias, using the advantages of both standard techniques of Snodgrass and Mathieu to reduce or eliminate the shortcomings of each. Methods: Forty patients with primary distal hypospadias were randomized between two groups (20 in each). Patients in group I underwent standard Snodgrass urethroplasty, whereas those in group II were operated with our novel technique, Mathieu-Incised Plate (Mathieu-IP), comprising preparation of a parameatal-based skin flap as in the Mathieu procedure together with modifications (adopted from Snodgrass urethroplasty) such as a complete longitudinal incision on the urethral plate as well as coverage of the neourethra with an inner preputial flap. Operative data and outcomes of both procedures were analyzed prospectively after 1 year of follow-up. Results: Both groups were age matched (group I: 7.05 ± 4.85 years; group II: 7.31 ± 2.17 years), and there were no significant differences in mean operative time (95 minutes versus 100 min in groups I and II, respectively). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of complications. Whereas 3 cases of posturethroplasty meatal stenosis and 2 of urethrocutaneous fistula (5 complications, 25%) were detected in the Snodgrass group, neither of these complications occurred in the Mathieu-IP group. All 40 patients benefited from a slit-like meatus. Conclusions: Combining the Mathieu procedure with plate incision could be considered a promising simple technique to achieve a normally shaped meatus and to reduce the rate of meatal-related complications, the major concern with the Snodgrass procedure.