Duration of follow-up to diagnose hypospadias urethroplasty complications.

OBJECTIVE: We report the time when hypospadias urethroplasty complications (UC) were diagnosed postoperatively.

METHODS: The time UC occurred after primary distal and proximal TIP and TIP reoperations was obtained from prospectively maintained databases in consecutive patients. UC included fistulas, glans dehiscences, meatal stenoses, neourethral strictures and diverticula.

RESULTS: Of 125 UC, 64% were diagnosed at the first postoperative visit and 81% were encountered within the first year after repair. Median time for diagnosis was 6 months (1.5-95) for fistulas, meatal stenoses/urethra strictures, and diverticulum, versus 2 months (1 week-24 months) for glans dehiscence.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of UC are diagnosed at the first postoperative visit or within the first year following TIP hypospadias repair. Glans dehiscences are most often apparent by 2 months, whereas most fistulas and other UC are found by 6 months. After 1 year, 14 boys without UC have to be followed indefinitely to diagnose each additional complication.