Preliminary Experience with Transdermal Preoperative Hormonal Treatment Before Severe Hypospadias Repair: Synergy Between Pediatric Surgeons and Endocrinologists

Abstract

Objectives: The preoperative hormonal treatment (PHT) in eligible patients has the potential to become an asset for the treatment of severe hypospadias. The aim of the paper is to report the preliminary results on tolerability and efficacy of tailored transdermal PHT with testosterone before primary hypospadias repair, resulting by the joint activity between pediatric surgeons and endocrinologists. Methods: A retrospective study collected all the patients affected by severe hypospadias, with a glans width (GW) < 14 mm and/or a penile ventral curvature > 30°, treated with preoperative transdermal testosterone gel 2% at a standard dose of 2 mg/day after pediatric endocrinologist evaluation, from December 2020 to February 2024. Increases in GWs and penile lengths (PLs), together with adverse events and the rate of surgical complications, were reported. Results: During the period, ten patients were included and received transdermal PHT for 43 (±15) days on average. The treatment with PHT stopped 52 (±23) days before surgery. PL increased 0.76 (±0.27) cm (+37%) on average, and GW increased 0.42 (±0.26) cm (+40%). No adverse events were described. Three surgical complications were reported with an overall rate of 30%. Conclusions: Transdermal PHT was well-tolerated and showed a positive impact on the treatment of severe hypospadias. Future investigations might confirm these findings.

Keywords: endocrinology; hypospadias; preoperative hormonal treatment; testosterone; transdermal testosterone; urology.

Figure 1

This figure illustrates the difference in glans width and penile length before and after PHT. All data are expressed in centimeters. The x denotes the mean value, while the box plot delineates the median and interquartile range (IQR). The PL increased by 0.76 (±0.27) cm (+37%) and the GW increased by 0.42 (±0.26) cm (+40%), as outlined in Table 2.