Histology of the urethral plate: implications for hypospadias repair.
OBJECTIVE
We define the histology of the urethral plate in boys with hypospadias.


METHODS
Subepithelial biopsies of the urethral plate were obtained in 17 boys, including 13 with distal and 4 with penoscrotal hypospadias. Ventral penile curvature was noted in 5 cases. Specimens were evaluated by 7 light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining.


RESULTS
All biopsies demonstrated well vascularized connective tissue comprised of smooth muscle and collagen. There was no evidence of fibrous bands or dysplastic tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
The urethral plate consists of epithelium overlying connective tissue. We found no histological evidence of fibrous cords historically considered responsible for chordee.
Snodgrass
W
W
Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Patterson
K
K
Plaire
J C
JC
Grady
R
R
Mitchell
M E
ME
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology*