Urethrocutaneous fistula repair after hypospadias surgery.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the success rates of simple and layered repairs of urethrocutaneous fistulae after hypospadias repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS The charts of 72 children who developed fistulae after hypospadias repair were reviewed; 39 had a simple closure of the fistula, whereas 32 had a 'pants over vest' repair, in all cases after excluding an impairment of urine outflow. RESULTS The success rate at the first attempt was 74% for simple closure and 94% for the layered repair; at the second attempt it was 80% and 100%, the difference being statistically significant for both repairs. CONCLUSIONS Although probably far from an optimal technique for repairing urethrocutaneous fistulae, the pants-over-vest repair allows a good success rate for penile shaft fistulae.