Objective long-term evaluation after distal hypospadias repair using the meatal mobilization technique

OBJECTIVE: Meatal mobilization (MEMO) by distal urethral preparation has been demonstrated to be an efficient surgical technique for the correction of distal hypospadias offering excellent short-term success rates. This study objectively evaluates individual patient satisfaction using a validated score in the long term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 218 patients who underwent hypospadias repair using the MEMO technique was identified. Of these, 104 (mean age at time of surgery 4.9 years, range 2-28 years) had a minimum follow-up of 5 years and were eligible for the study. They were investigated by physical examination and self-assessment. An objective evaluation using the validated Hypospadias Objective Scoring Evaluation (HOSE) was done in all patients. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 6.3 (range 5-8) years. Ninety-nine patients participated in the investigation, an overall survey response rate of 95.2%. One urethrocutaneous fistula occurred, but no cases of stenosis were noted. One patient developed a mild penile deviation during the postoperative follow-up. Ninety-three out of 99 patients reached the maximum of 16 points (median 15, range 12-16) on the HOSE symptom score. CONCLUSION: The MEMO technique demonstrates a surgical success rate of 97% after 2 years. Even in the long-term follow-up of a mean 6.3 years objective outcome data and individual patient satisfaction were excellent. MEMO is a reliable and versatile method for distal hypospadias repair, as reflected by high patient satisfaction.