TO COMPARE RESULTS OF VICRYL 6-0 SUTURE VS PDS 6- 0 SUTURE IN TUBULARIZED INCISED PLATE URETHROPLASTY IN DISTAL TO MID PENILE HYPOSPADIAS.

Background: Hypospadias is considered the second most common congenital disorder in male offsprings worldwide after cryptorchidism, but the most common penile congenital malformation. Although usually successful, hypospadias surgery may result in a number of complications. The selection of suture material is an essential component of hypospadias correction, since it greatly influences the efficacy and longevity of the surgical result. Methods: The present observational comparative study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics and General Surgery at SGRD Charitable Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, Amritsar, Punjab on 60 children ranging between >6 months to 5 years of age with clinical diagnosis of distal and mid penile hypospadias, who were divided into 2 groups - A and B - of 30 each and underwent Tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty with Vicryl and Polydiaxanone (PDS) suture, respectively during the period from January, 2023 to March, 2024. Data regarding the chief complaints, local examination, post-operative complications and urethral dilatation were recorded and findings were analyzed. Results: Out of the 60 cases, frequency of urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) was significantly higher in Group A on post-operative day (POD) 10 (26.67%) and 15th day after discharge (16.67%), urethral stricture was an another significantly correlated post-operative outcome on 30th day after discharge (23.33%). There was significant difference in thinning of stream of urine after the removal of infant feeding tube (IFT) on POD 10 between Group A and Group B patients with p-value=0.038, denoting increased risk with the use of Vicryl 6-0 suture. Follow up urethral dilatation was required comparatively more in Group A patients (60%). Conclusions: PDS 6-0 suture is comparatively better in hypospadias repair as it is associated with fewer post-operative complications especially urethrocutaneous fistula which is commonest and most difficult to treat complication. PDS 6-0 suture reduced the prevalence of thin urinary stream and requirement of post-operative urethral dilatat [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]