Single-stage urethroplasty: An eight-year single-centre experience and its associated factors for urethrocutaneous fistula

Introduction: This study aimed to describe single-stage urethroplasty and to determine factors associated with urethrocutaneous fistula after the procedure at our institution. Methods: All hypospadias patients without any prior surgery who underwent single-stage urethroplasty from July 2010 to January 2018 were included. In total, 179 patients were followed for at least one year postoperatively. Information on types of hypospadias, operation techniques, chordee degree, preoperative pyuria (urine white blood cell count >5/HPF), urethral defect length and urethrocutaneous fistula formation was collected. Results: We obtained 103 cases of posterior (57.5%), middle (57 cases) and anterior (19 cases) hypospadias on whom onlay preputial island flap (71 cases), tubularized incised plate (46 cases) and Duckett’s transverse preputial island flap (35 cases) were conducted. After 47.1±25.8 months of follow-up, urethrocutaneous fistula were found in 23 (12.8%) patients associated with posterior hypospadias occurrence (p=0.025), longer urethral defect (p=0.007) and preoperative pyuria (p<0.001). Chordee degree (p=0.886) and age (p=0.187) were not significant factors associated with urethrocutaneous fistula formation. Conclusion: Single-stage urethroplasty is a versatile procedure for various hypospadias cases, with a urethrocutaneous fistula rate of 12.8%. Posterior hypospadias, preoperative pyuria and longer urethral defect were associated with urethrocutaneous fistula formation. Level of evidence: Level 2B.