I. Ulman et al., THE EFFECT OF SUTURING TECHNIQUE AND MATERIAL ON COMPLICATION RATE FOLLOWING HYPOSPADIAS REPAIR, European journal of pediatric surgery, 7(3), 1997, pp. 156-157
Ninety-seven children with distal hypospadias were treated surgically
using perimeatal-based flap urethroplasty (Mathieu procedure) in a two
and a half years period. A review of the medical records revealed two
distinct groups of patients according to the suturing type and suture
material. In the first group of 36 patients (group I), neourethra was
constructed using 6/0 polyglactine (Vicryl(R)) in a single layer, ful
l-thickness, uninterrupted fashion. Skin flaps were approximated using
interrupted simple 5/0 polyglactine (Vicryl(R)) sutures. In the secon
d group of 61 patients (group II), 7/0 polydioxanone (PDS(R)) was used
in the urethral anastomosis performed in a subcuticular, uninterrupte
d fashion. The skin flaps were closed using interrupted simple 5/0 rap
idly absorbable polyglactine (Rapid Vicryl(R)) sutures. Patients were
followed-up from 6 to 12 months. Urethral or meatal stenosis was not o
bserved in any patient. There was no infectious complication. Urethroc
utaneous fistula rate was significantly higher in group I (16.6%) comp
ared to group II (4.9%) (p < 0.01). Complication rate following hyposp
adias repair can be reduced by the use of a subcutaneous suture techni
que utilizing polydioxanone suture material in urethroplasties.