Complications of small intestinal submucosa for corporal body grafting for proximal hypospadias.

PURPOSE

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has been described for corporal body grafting in cases of severe penile curvature. We reviewed our experience with a 2-stage repair using corporal body grafting with SIS for proximal hypospadias and severe chordee.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on 12 patients with penoscrotal hypospadias and severe chordee. Corporal grafting was performed with a 4-layer SIS graft (STRATASIS, Cook Biotech, Spencer, Indiana). Patients were evaluated postoperatively with clinic visits after both stages of repair to assess results.

RESULTS

Corporal body grafting with SIS was performed in 12 patients between June and December 2001. Average patient age at the time of stage 1 repair was 9 months. Of the 12 patients 8 (66%) had no complications and 10 (83%) have a straight phallus following stage 2 repair. Complications occurred in 4 patients (33%), 2 of which were minor and did not require surgical correction. There were 2 major complications related to the SIS graft, 1 of which required excision of the graft and replacement with a tunica albuginea flap, and the other required 3 dorsal plications to correct residual chordee.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience using the 4-layer SIS resulted in 2 major complications requiring surgical correction during stage 2 repair. This rate exceeds the complications reported with either dermal or tunica vaginalis grafts. Currently we have stopped using SIS for corporal grafting.