Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42484637›Full record

Observational studyPediatric surgery international2026

Ventral dartos fascia flap as a third interposition layer in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for distal hypospadias: a prospective study of 52 cases.

Mohamed Gaafar, Mahmoud Abdelhamid Elhendawy, Sherif Hamdeno, Ahmed Abu Elsoud, Abdelnaser Hamdi Mohammed, Ahmed Elsayed Abdelhamid, Asmaa Ali Dahy, Mohamed Ali Abdelaziz, Mohab Abdulkafy Sharafuddin

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Observational study in Pediatric surgery international, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mohamed GaafarDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
Mahmoud Abdelhamid ElhendawyDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
Sherif HamdenoDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt.
Ahmed Abu ElsoudDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
Abdelnaser Hamdi MohammedDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
Ahmed Elsayed AbdelhamidDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Asmaa Ali DahyDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohamed Ali AbdelazizDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohab Abdulkafy SharafuddinDepartment of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. mohabsharaf@azhar.edu.eg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9827-2076

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty is the preferred technique for distal hypospadias repair, but urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular torsion remain significant complications. Vascularised tissue interposition between the neourethra and skin reduces these risks. Dorsal dartos flaps risk penile torsion through asymmetric traction, and tunica vaginalis flaps carry scrotal haematoma risk. The ventral dartos fascia flap offers a potentially superior alternative.

methodsA single-centre, prospective observational study enrolled 52 male patients (age 8 months-28 years; mean 4.92 ± 7.48 years) with distal hypospadias undergoing TIP urethroplasty with ventral dartos fascia flap interposition (May 2022-February 2024). Patients with proximal hypospadias, severe chordee, or associated penile anomalies were excluded. Primary outcomes were meatal configuration, urinary stream, penile alignment, and complications. Minimum follow-up was 12 months.

resultsForty-nine patients (94.2%) underwent primary repair, and 3 (5.8%) underwent revision repair. Mean operative time was 95.3 ± 5.8 min. All 52 patients (100%) achieved straight penile erection. A slit-like neomeatus was achieved in 46 patients (88.5%); 36 (69.2%) demonstrated a straight urinary stream, and 16 (30.8%) a functionally adequate standing stream. Urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in 2 patients (3.8%), both managed by secondary repair. No penile torsion, meatal stenosis, urethral stricture, or preputial oedema occurred.

conclusionsThe ventral dartos fascia flap is a safe, reproducible third interposition layer in TIP urethroplasty for distal hypospadias. By preserving dorsal tissue and avoiding asymmetric rotational forces, it was associated with a low fistula rate (3.8%) and no observed penile torsion, representing a promising alternative to dorsal dartos and tunica vaginalis coverage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Indexed as

FasciaHypospadiasPlastic Surgery ProceduresSurgical FlapsUrethraUrologic Surgical Procedures, MaleAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolHumansInfantMaleProspective StudiesTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultDartos fascia flapHypospadiasInterposition flapPenile reconstructionTubularized incised plate urethroplastyUrethrocutaneous fistula

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.