The use of tissue sealant in reducing urethrocutaneous fistula event following hypospadias repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent complications following hypospadias repair is urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) event. Tissue sealant has been introduced as a means to reduce UCF. However, reports regarding its benefits are varied. Thus, we initiated a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate its role in reducing UCF following hypospadias repair. METHODS: We completed a systematic search through the Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases for studies assessing postoperative complications in hypospadias patients undergoing urethroplasty with and without tissue sealant. Cochrane risk of bias 2 (RoB 2) tool was used to assess the quality of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), while the observational studies were assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The primary outcome analyzed in this study was UCF, while secondary outcomes consisted of postoperative complications such as edema, infection, and wound dehiscence that increases the risk of UCF formation, measured using odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Six eligible studies comprising three RCTs and three non-randomized studies were included. Patients undergoing hypospadias repair with tissue sealant had lower UCF events (OR = 3.27; 95% CI 1.92–5.58; p < 0.0001). Likewise other post-operative complications, tissue sealant group had a lower rate of edema (OR = 2.29; 95% CI 1.38–3.78; p = 0.001) and infection (OR = 3.87; 95% CI 1.55–9.70; p = 0.004). The difference in wound dehiscence was insignificant between the groups (OR = 2.08; 95% CI 0.21–20.55; p = 0.53). CONCLUSION: Tissue sealant can reduce UCF events following hypospadias repair as well as edema and infection that increases the risk of UCF formation.