Double Unfurled Dartos Flap Technique in the Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Urethrocutaneous Fistulas

Background: The management of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistula (RUCF) is a challenging problem that poses a serious difficulty for the hypospadias surgeon. We report here a novel technique in which a double unfurled dartos subcutaneous flap is utilized in the treatment of patients with RUCF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all our patients who underwent surgical treatment of urethrocutaneous fistula with this new operative method after previously failed fistula repair. The main novelty of this technique is the use of two opposite medium thickness flaps, unfurled from the inner surface of the dartos fascia and spread over the fistula and each other so as to cover the urethral suture line completely, and fixed to the surrounding corporal tissue. Results: Eight patients with 11 RUCFs (with localizations varying from subcoronal to penoscrotal fistula opening) underwent surgical correction with the new method. There had previously been at least 3 recurrences in 6 of these patients, and different closure techniques had been used. RUCF diameter was