Effect of early urethral dilatation in prevention of complications in hypospadias patients after urethroplasty

Introduction: Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation in boys. One of the common surgical techniques for correction of hypospadias is (Tubularized Incised Plate urethraplasty=TIP). Meatal stenosis and fistula formation are known post-operative complications. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of early urethral dilatation in prevention of post operative complications. Methods: A randomized clinical trial including 60 patients with distal hypospadias who underwent tabularized incised plate urethroplasty with or without dilatation was conducted in Bandar Abbas children hospital in 2011. Patients were divided in two groups. The number of the patients and mean age were not different in two groups. Urethral dilatation was started in first group at two weeks following surgery and continued for six months. The patients of second group were followed without urethral dilatation. All patients were followed for occurance of complications for one year. Chi-Square and t-test were used to compare the groups. Results: In the first group the early fistula, late fistula, stenosis, hematoma, urinary infection, cutaneous necrosis, and wound dehiscence were developed in 16.7%, 6.7%, 10%, 26.7%, 13.3%, 10%, and 20% of the patients, respectively. In the second group these complications were seen in 10%, 6.7%, 3.3%, 13.3%, 6.7%, 3.3%, and 6.7% of the patients, respectively. Statistical analysis of results showed no significant differences between two groups in rate of complications. Conclusion: Early urethral dilatation after urethroplasty has no significant effect on postoperative complications.