Outcomes in Distal Hypospadias: a Systematic Review of the Mathieu and Tubularized Incised Plate Repairs

Aim: To compare complication rates after distal hypospadias surgery using the tubularized incised plate (TIP) and Mathieu techniques.

Methods: For this meta-analysis, the Medline (1990-2009), Embase (1990-2009) and Cochrane databases were searched using the keyword 'hypospadias'. Inclusion criteria were: i) primary repairs; ii) distal hypospadias; iii) paediatric case series; iv) standard Mathieu and TIP techniques; v) complication data obtainable from the paper. Cases were only included in the denominator for each complication if explicitly identified in the paper. Fisher's exact was used for statistical analysis, with P < 0.05 considered significant.

Main Results: 129 papers were selected for full analysis; 23 papers met the inclusion criteria comprising 1872 TIP repairs and 1496 Mathieu repairs. We identified an increased incidence of urethral fistulae with the Mathieu technique (3.8% vs 5.3%, P = 0.028); however, this is lost on subgroup analysis. An increased incidence of meatal stenosis was identified in the TIP group (3.1% vs 0.7%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: There is no clear consensus on the ideal method of repair for distal hypospadias. Both the Mathieu and TIP techniques have been shown to have low rates of postoperative complications. Comparison between series is difficult because of a lack of consistency in reporting complications and follow up. We advocate uniform standards for reporting outcomes of hypospadias.