Which procedure should be chosen as a salvage operation in anterior hypospadias cases, meatal-based or onlay island flap? a comparative analysis

We compared the outcome of flip-flap procedure (Mathieu procedure) with onlay island urethroplasty after previously failed repairs in anterior hypospadias cases. Charts of patients who underwent salvage flip-flap (n=58) and onlay procedure (n=24) were reviewed. Age range was 3-19 years (mean: 9+/-4.1) and 2-30 years (10.3+/-5.2) in the onlay and Mathieu groups, respectively (p>0.05). In the onlay group, the flap was prepared from penile skin and preputial tissue in 5 and 19 cases, respectively. The meatal-based flap was laterally directed in 7 cases in the Mathieu group. The mean number of prior operations was greater in the onlay group when compared with the Mathieu group (1.85+/-1.53 vs. 1.41+/-0.65, respectively) although the difference was not statistically significant (Student's-t test, p>0.05). A total of 14 out of 58 (24.1%) and 6 out of 24 (25%) cases resulted in fistula formation in the Mathieu and island flap groups, respectively. Comparison of the rates of fistula formation did not reach statistical significance (Pearson chi(2), p=0.934). Skin dehiscence in one case and burying of the penis in another patient due to inadequacy of skin for coverage, occurred as complications in the onlay group. Splitting of the glans in 1, dehiscence of skin in 1 patient and complete breakdown of the neourethra in 1 case were the complications encountered in the Mathieu group. Both Mathieu and onlay island procedures have similar success rates as a salvage operation in anterior hypospadias cases if proper patient selection is done. The onlay procedure has been more commonly performed after a failed Mathieu procedure and the reverse rarely occurs.