Use of buccal mucosa patch graft for recurrent large urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair

Introduction: To assess the effectiveness of buccal mucosa patch graft in the treatment of recurrent large urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair. Materials and Methods: A free graft of buccal mucosa was used for closure in 7 boys ( mean age 4.8 years) with large (>4 mm) urethocutaneous fistula. Four fistulas were in the midshaft, 2 of them penoscrotal and 1 coronal type. All patients had undergone at least two previous unsuccessful fistula repairs, and 3 of them had undergone three attempts for closure. Fistula repairs were similar in all cases. Results: The repair was successful in 6 out of 7 cases, and in these cases the urinary stream was good after the removal of the catheter. The unsuccessful case was the coronal one. Conclusion: Based on our experience it seems that in cases with recurrent large fistula after hypospadias reconstruction, the use of buccal mucosa patch graft for closure is a good treatment choice. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.