Purpose: Severe penile curvature correction by corporeal body grafting has been successfully performed using various grafts and biomaterials. We present our initial experience with buccal mucosa as a free corporeal graft to correct severe penile curvature as part of a multistage approach to posterior hypospadias repair.
Materials and methods: A total of 12 children with a mean age of 6.2 years (range 4 to 8) with posterior hypospadias and severe ventral chordee (greater than 45 degrees) necessitating ventral grafting underwent correction using buccal mucosa. Preoperative androgen supplement was given when penile and glanular size was significantly small for age. Buccal mucosa was harvested from the inner side of the cheek or the lower lip. The harvested graft was defatted, fashioned and fixed to the ventral corporeal defect. The pre-grafting penile angle, immediate post-grafting angle and penile angle at 6 months were assessed.
Results: All children had penoscrotal or perineal hypospadias, 4 had partial androgen insensitivity syndrome and 1 underwent multiple previous failed repairs. Androgen was given preoperatively in 3 children. After chordee release and urethral plate transection the penile angle was between 45 and 80 degrees. Mean graft length and width was 2.5 and 1.6 cm, respectively. All children had a straight penis at the end of the procedure and none required additive dorsal plication. At the last followup at 12 months all children had a straight penis except 2 with mild curvature (less than 10 degrees). No complications were noted with this technique.
Conclusions: Preliminary results of the novel use of buccal mucosa as a corporeal graft for severe chordee appear satisfactory. Longer term followup is needed to further document these data.