Long-term outcome of severe hypospadias

Objective: To evaluate, from the patient's point of view, long-term urinary and sexual outcome of surgery for severe hypospadias.

Patients and method: Patients treated for severe posterior hypospadias during childhood and now aged 20-35 years were included. Outcome was evaluated using the Hypospadias Objective Scoring Evaluation and our own quality of life questionnaire.

Results: Of 48 patients, 13 were lost to follow up. The questionnaire was thus sent to 35 patients of whom 27 agreed to answer (77% response rate). Fifteen presented proximal and 12 scrotal hypospadias. Average age at surgery was 3.3 years and the children underwent an average of 3.7 procedures. There were 40% early complications, and 59% late complications, including 33% fistulae and 26% stenosis. At present, 70% of patients have an apical meatus, 82% have a straight penis, 37% present difficulty initiating voiding, and one patient has a persistent fistula; 74% say their penis looks abnormal, either because of the absence of foreskin, penis size or scarring. Sexual and global satisfaction rates, determined using a visual analogue scale, are respectively 68% and 63%. Satisfaction is statistically correlated to the presence of early complications or stenosis, but not fistula. It decreases if the patient thinks his penis is not normal, even if the anatomical result is good.

Conclusion: Urinary and sexual outcome is good for most patients though the results are variable. Satisfaction seems more affected by subjective feelings than the anatomical result.