Edges-On-Dartos: An Easy Way to Improve Graft Performance in Staged Hypospadias Repair

Objectives: To present a technical tip to be incorporated in the first stage of a 2-stage graft repair of proximal hypospadias associated with curvature, aiming at widening the graft bed and enhancing mobility of the lateral portions of the graft for subsequent urethroplasty. Methods: After penile straightening, the dorsal dartos layer, carefully preserved attached to the dorsal penile skin used for penile coverage, is anchored to the lateral edges of the denuded corpora cavernosa with 3 to 4 interrupted 6-0 resorbable stiches on each side. The dartos creates a sort of hammock in-between the corpora, on which the central portion of the graft is quilted as in standard staged graft repair, and the skin margins laterally. Therefore, it widens the graft bed by 3-4 mm on each side. The lateral portions of the graft, laying on dartos, also remain supple for subsequent tabularization. Results: Between 2017 and 2019, the technique was used in 16 cases (range 10-19 months). None of these patients required re-grafting because of severe longitudinal graft shrinkage. Conclusion: The described modification seems a simple tip to be incorporate in staged graft urethroplasty. Putative advantages include that a wider graft can compensate for some graft shrinkage occurring in-between stages; during the second stage, it can facilitate dissection and improve mobility of the lateral graft portions for tubularization, and make retrieval of a dartos flap for urethroplasty coverage easier. Prospective evaluation and comparative data are needed.