ABSTRACT Introduction To assess the feasibility of vacuum physiotherapy meant to decrease graft contraction and recurrent penile curvature (PC), hence successful tubularization and a straight penis in patients underwent two-stage buccal mucosa graft (BMG) urethroplasty, in proximal hypospadias repair. Material and methods Between January 2014 and July 2018, 59 two-stage BMG urethroplasties performed at our referral center, were included in the study. The parents were counseled to use the vacuum device between the two stages. An internal, self-administered, semiquantitative, non-validated questionnaire was designed to record parent and patient adherence to the vacuum physiotherapy and parent satisfaction. Success rate of graft tubularization, curvature correction rates, and status of early (4 months) postoperative urinary stream were evaluated. Results Of 45/59 (76.3%) who returned the questionnaire, 77.8% followed the recommended physiotherapy protocol using the vacuum device. 93.3% of parents replied that the use of the vacuum was easy or moderately easy. None of the parents interrupted the physiotherapy because of perceived difficulty or intolerability. 100% of parents would have repeated the physiotherapy, if they had to. Overall, success rate of tubularization was 98.3% (58/59), complete curvature correction was achieved in 88.2% (52/59) of patients, and 79.7% (47/59) of patients showed a straight and powerful early post-operative urinary stream. Conclusions Physiotherapy with the vacuum device is safe, easy and practically feasible. Our vacuum physiotherapy protocol had high compliance rate. Vacuum physiotherapy should be considered for further assessment in patients undergoing two stage hypospadias repair using buccal mucosa.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pubic hypertrophy, defined as an abnormal and abundant round mass of fatty tissue located over the pubic symphysis, is frequently underestimated in patients with hypospadias. We examined the prevalence of this condition, as well as the outcomes associated with its surgical treatment. Material and methods: Within 266 hypospadias patients treated at our clinic, we assessed the prevalence of pubic hypertrophy, and we schematically described the surgical steps of pubic lipectomy. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) tested for predictors of pubic hypertrophy. Finally, separate MLRs tested for predictors of fistula and any complications after pubic lipectomy. Results: Of 266 hypospadias patients, 100 (37.6%) presented pubic hypertrophy and underwent pubic lipectomy. Patients with pubic hypertrophy more frequently had proximal hypospadias (44 vs. 7.8%), disorders of sex development (DSD) (10 vs. 0.6%), cryptorchidism (12 vs. 2.4%), and moderate (30°-60°) or severe (>60°) penile curvature (33 vs. 4.2%). In MLR, the location of urethral meatus (proximal, Odds ratio [OR]: 10.1, p<0.001) was the only significant predictor of pubic hypertrophy. Finally, pubic lipectomy was not associated with increased risk of fistula (OR: 1.12, p=0.7) or any complications (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.64-2.88, p=0.4) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions: One out of three hypospadias patients, referred to our center, presented pubic hypertrophy and received pubic lipectomy. This rate was higher in patients with proximal hypospadias suggesting a correlation between pubic hypertrophy and severity of hypospadias. Noteworthy, pubic lipectomy was not associated with increased risk of fistula or any complications.

We performed an overview of the surgical techniques suggested for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures using MEDLINE. In applying the MEDLINE search, we used the "MeSH" (Medical Subject Heading) and "free text" protocols. The MeSH search was conducted by combining the following terms: "urethral stricture", "flap", "graft", "oral mucosa", "urethroplasty", "urethrotomy" and "failed hypospadias". Multiple "free text" searches were performed individually applying the following terms through all fields of the records: "reconstructive urethral surgery", "end-to-end anastomosis", "one-stage", "two stage". Descriptive statistics of the articles were provided. Meta-analyses were not employed. Seventy-eight articles were determined to be germane in this review. Six main topics were identified as controversial in anterior urethra surgery: the use of oral mucosa vs penile skin; the use of free grafts vs pedicled flaps in penile urethroplasty; the use of grafts vs anastomotic repair in bulbar urethral strictures; the use of dorsal vs ventral placement of the graft in bulbar urethroplasty; the use of definitive perineal urethrostomy vs one-stage repair in complex urethral strictures; the surgical options for patients with failed hypospadias repair. Different points of view are documented and presented in the literature by various authors from different countries. The aim of this clinical overview is to survey the main controversial issues in surgical reconstruction of the anterior urethra focusing on the use of flap or graft, substitute material, type of surgery and challenging situations, such as failed hypospadias or complex urethral stricture repair.

Objectives: To report the principles of penile re-sculpturing of different deformities caused by M. Peyronie: restoration of penile length, girth and shape with or without penile prosthesis implantation. Methods: In the period between February 2007 and March 2009, we performed grafting surgery for M. Peyronie in 98 patients aged between 24 and 72 years (mean 52 years). Penile deformities were diferent: dorsal curvature in 54 (55%), lateral in 7 (7%), ventral in 11 (11%), and combined curvature in 21 (21%); associated corporal narrowing was present in 24 patients (24%). Four (4%) patients presented isolated penile shortening without other deformity. Isolated diffuse corporal narrowing without shortening was found in two (2%) patients. Severity of curvature ranges from 60 to 90 degrees, mean 72. Thirty one (31%) patients had associated ED. Surgical options for severe Peyronie's disease were: single grafting in 26 pts (26%), complex grafting including circular tunical incision in 36 pts (36%), and in patients with ED the same procedures combined with penile prosthesis implantation (37 pts, 38%). Surgical correction was based on measurement of the tunical defect and precise calculation of graft size and shape. Penile straightening and lengthening was achieved by equalizing of shortened penile side/s with the longest one (convex) and grafting. Penile width is reestablished with additional longitudinal incision/s and grafting; graft width is determined by measurement of difference in circumference between normal and narrowed part of the corpora. We used Intexen LP (AMS) as a grafting material in all cases. Results: The mean follow-up was 15 months (6-25). Mean penile length gain without prosthesis was 2.8cm (1.5-4.2) and with prosthesis 3.2cm (2-4.5cm). Insuficient straightening was in 5 patients (>15 degree) where Neuro Vascular Bundle (NVB) was limiting factor. Twenty four patients reported hypoesthesia and reduced orgasmic sensitivity that recovered spontaneously after 3-6 months. De-novo ED occurred in 6 pts and progression of disease in 6 patients. Infection occurred only in one patient with penile prosthesis implantation. Overall patients' satisfaction was 95%. Conclusions: Complete tunical reconstruction in IPP can be performed as a safe procedure by transversal, longitudinal and circular grafting with or without simultaneous penile prosthesis implantation. Maximum penile length, girth and shape restoration can be achieved using geometrical calculation, regardless of type of deformity.

Objetivo: Informar sobre los principios de la cirugía reconstructiva de diferentes deformidades del pene causadas por la enfermedad de Peyronie: restauración de la longitud, perímetro y forma con o sin implante de prótesis de pene. Métodos: En el período comprendido entre febrero 2007 y marzo de 2009, se realizó cirugía con parche por enfermedad de Peyronie en 98 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 24 y 72 años (media 52 años). Las deformidades en el pene eran diferentes: curvatura dorsal en 54 (55%) pacientes, lateral en 7 (7%), ventral en 11 (11%), y curvatura combinada en 21 (21%); 24 pacientes presentaban estrechamiento en el cuerpo cavernoso (reloj de arena) (24 %). Cuatro (4%) pacientes presentaban acortamiento de pene aislado, sin otras deformidades, y en dos (2%) pacientes se encontró un estrechamiento cavernoso difuso aislado sin acortamiento. La gravedad de la curvatura varió de 60º-90º, media 72. Treinta y un (31%) pacientes padecían disfunción eréctil asociada. Las opciones quirúrgicas para los casos graves de enfermedad de Peyronie fueron: injerto simple en 26 (26%) pacientes, injertos complejos incluyendo incisión circular de la túnica albugínea en 36 (36%), y los mismos procedimientos en pacientes con disfunción eréctil combinados con implante de prótesis de pene en 37 pacientes (38%). La corrección quirúrgica se basó en la medición del defecto de la túnica y el cálculo preciso del tamaño del injerto y la forma. El enderezamiento y alargamiento del pene se logró, mediante la nivelación del lado/s acortados del pene con el más largo (convexo) y el injerto. El ancho del pene se restablece con incisión/es longitudinal/es adicionales e injertos; el ancho del injerto se determina mediante la medición de la diferencia en la circunferencia entre las partes normal y reducida del cuerpo cavernoso. En todos los casos, se utilizó InteXen LP (AMS) como material de injerto. Resultados: El seguimiento medio fue de 15 meses (6-25). El incremento de longitud del pene fue de 2,8 cm sin prótesis (1,5-4,2 cm) y 3,2 cm (2-4,5cm) con prótesis. En 5 pacientes (<15 grados), la corrección de la curvatura fue insuficiente, debido a que el haz neurovascular fue un factor limitante. Veinticuatro pacientes informaron de hipoestesia y sensibilidad orgásmica reducida que se recuperó espontáneamente al cabo de 3-6 meses. Seis pacientes presentaron una disfunción eréctil de novo y 6 pacientes progresión de la enfermedad. Sólo un paciente con implante de prótesis de pene sufrió infección. El índice de satisfacción general de los pacientes fue del 95%. Conclusiones: La reconstrucción de la túnica albugínea completa en la enfermedad de Peyronie puede realizarse como un procedimiento seguro por medio de injertos transversales, longitudinales y circulares con o sin implante simultáneo de prótesis de pene. Se puede lograr, mediante el cálculo geométrico, la longitud máxima del pene, el grosor y la recuperación de la forma, independientemente del tipo de deformidad.