OBJECTIVETo compare the success rate, postoperative complications and cosmetic appearance of the perinatal flap (Mathieu) and the tubularized incised-plate (Snodgrass) urethroplasty in distal hypospadias repair.

METHODSBetween March 2001 and April 2004, Snodgrass-type repair was done in 36 patients and Mathieu-type repair in 43 patients with primary hypospadias either with or without minimal chordee.

RESULTSThe mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter for the Snodgrass procedure than for the Mathieu repair. With 3-10 months follow-up, the total numbers of complications of Snodgrass repair and Mathieu repair were 8 (22.2%) and 16 (37.2%) (P > 0.05), the fistula formation rates 8.3% and 25.6%, the meatal stricture formation rates 5.6% and 2.3%, and the wound dehiscence rates 8.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Flap necrosis was seen in 3 cases in the Mathieu group. Cosmetic appearance was highly satisfactory in the Snodgrass group.

CONCLUSIONThe fistula and flap necrosis rates were lower and the surgery more convenient with the Snodgrass urethroplasty, which also had a better cosmetic outcome. The Snodgrass technique is recommended as a primary treatment to substitute Mathieu repair for distal hypospadias with or without minimal chordee.