Comparison of Fistula Rates After Urethrocutaneous Fistula Repair Versus Primary Hypospadias Repair for Distal Hypospadias

Objective: To investigate the incidence of fistula formation following distal hypospadias repair and the recurrence rate after fistula correction within a 15-year period. Material and Method: Postoperative fistula development rates of patients who underwent primary distal hypospadias repair between the years 2007-2022 were analyzed. The rates of recurrence of fistula after fistula repair were examined. Results: A total of 417 patients were included in the study. Fistula developed in 54 patients (13%) after the first surgery. The mean age of the patients at the time of the first operation was 39 months. It was observed that there was fistula approximately 10 months after the operation. Re-fistula formation was observed in 14 (25%) of 54 patients who underwent fistula repair. Re-fistula occurrence time after fistula repair was 5 days-18 months. The most common fistula location after the first operation was the coronal level (53%), with 28 patients where as the most location after the fistula repair was also coronal level (71% with 10 patients). Conclusions: In patients who develop fistula after distal hypospadias repair, the risk of developing a fistula after the repair is higher than the risk of developing a fistula after the primary repair. These results may be related to the techniques and methods used in primary repair.