Use of buccal mucosal grafts in hypospadia-crippled adult patients

The buccal mucosa has begun to be used as a free graft in complex hypospadias repair gradually and successfully in recent years. However, there are limited experiences regarding use of the buccal mucosa in adult patients. In this study, the authors describe their experience using buccal mucosal grafts in hypospadias-crippled adult patients. Between March 1996 and February 2001, the buccal mucosa was used in 26 cases of complex hypospadias in which local penile skin was not present or it was insufficient for urethral repair. All patients were adults (age range, 17-24 y; average, 21 y). In these patients in whom penile skin was insufficient, urethral repair by buccal mucosa was planned, with the stipulation that at least 6 months had passed from the previous operation. The buccal mucosa has been applied to 23 patients alone and in combination with penile skin in three patients. After surgery, the patients were followed-up for 3 to 18 months (average, 12 mo). During the follow-up, fistula in the line of the proximal anastomosis, meatal stenosis, and the fistula together with meatal stenosis developed in nine (35%), four (15%), and two patients (7%), respectively. It is concluded that buccal mucosa is the free graft material that should be the first choice in complex hypospadias cases that are circumcised or undergo operation more than once and when the penile skin is not available.