Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of patient and treatment characteristics
on the occurrence of complications after hypospadias correction and the impact of
complications on final clinical outcome.
Materials and Methods The study cohort consisted of 205 hypospadias patients who had surgery in the Medical
Centre Leeuwarden (1996–2011). Patient and treatment characteristics were hypospadias
severity (preoperative meatal location and chordee), number of planned surgeries,
reconstruction technique, operation year, and patient's age at the time of surgery.
The final clinical outcome was measured with the Hypospadias Objective Scoring Evaluation
(HOSE) (maximum score = 16) and compared between patients with and without complications.
Results Sixty-four patients (31%) had complications, most of which were fistulas (n = 40). An increased complication risk was seen in patients with severe hypospadias
(preoperative proximal meatus or chordee), multistage reconstruction, reconstruction
techniques other than Mathieu, and surgeries performed before 2005. Uncomplicated
treatment resulted only in a marginally higher HOSE (15.7) compared with complicated
treatment (15.4). Fistulas and multiple complications reduced clinical outcome more
(15.3 and 14.9, respectively), while urinary tract infections, wound dehiscence, or
prepuce related complications did not (16.0, 16.0, and 15.8, respectively).
Conclusion The complication risk after hypospadias correction is influenced by hypospadias severity
and type and year of reconstruction. Certain, but not all complications diminish final
clinical outcome.
Keywords
complications - hypospadias - reoperation - treatment characteristics - surgical
