Use of human amniotic membrane repair of anterior urethral defect: First clinical report.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of human amniotic membrane allograft to prevent urethrocutaneous fistula after tubularized incised plate repair for redo-hypospadias and anterior urethral defects.

METHODS

This pilot study included 28 patients (mean age 25.3 ± 11 years) with a history of previous failed hypospadia repair, who underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in one session by the same surgical team from April 2016 to April 2019. After the reconstruction of a neourethra and proper hemostasis, a human amniotic membrane allograft - Grafting Scaffold - was used to cover the suture lines.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 13.3 ± 4.5 months. Two urethrocutaneous fistulas occurred within the first 2 weeks after the surgery, one of which was caused by the infection of the surgical site. No penile torsion, urethral diverticula, meatal stenosis or glans dehiscence was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic membrane graft provides an applicable, low-cost, feasible, biodegradable and safe second cover in redo-hypospadias repairs by tubularized incised plate technique. Its use is technically easy; it has satisfactory cosmetic outcomes and might decrease urethrocutaneous fistula formation.