Tunica vaginalis or dartos as second layer coverage for distal and mid-shaft penile hypospadias, quo vadis?

Purpose: To compare between the dartos and tunica vaginalis flaps as covering layers in denovo distal or mid-shaft penile hypospadias underwent tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair.

Methods: This is a single-center, randomized trial was for denovo distal or mid-shaft penile hypospadias. Children with history of orchiectomy, orchiopexy and inguinal hernia repair were excluded. Eighty-eight patients were divided into two groups: the first used dartos flap (DF), while the second used tunica vaginalis flap (TVF). The primary outcome was to assess the incidence of urethrocutaneous fistula. The secondary outcome was to assess cosmetic outcome using paediatric penile perception score (PPPS) and hypospadias objective scoring evaluation (HOSE).

Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics showed no statistically significant. Median operative time (IQR) was 100 (90, 120) and 145 (140, 150) minutes in in DF and TVF Groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Urethrocutaneous Fistula was detected in 9 (20.9%) in DF group and 2 (4.9%) in TVF group (p 0.029). Meatal stenosis occurred in 3 (7%) in DF group and 2 (4.9%) in TVF group. Penile torque was diagnosed in one (2.4%) in TVF group. There was no significant difference in total PPPS score (p = 0.076), however, there was a significant difference in total HOSE score in the favour to TVF group (p = 0.024). At 12 months, testicular ascent occurred in 0% and 3 (7.3%) in DF and TVF groups, respectively (p = 0.071).

Conclusion: Compared to dartos flap, tunica vaginalis flap significantly helps in reduction of fistula rate. However, it has significant more operative time.