urethral plate
Strip of urethral tissue on the ventral penis that serves as foundation for hypospadias repair techniques.
Full Definition
The urethral plate is the ventral strip of tissue between the hypospadias meatus and the glans penis that represents the underdeveloped portion of the urethra. This structure is crucial in hypospadias repair as it provides the foundation for various reconstructive techniques. The quality, width, and vascularity of the urethral plate determine the choice of surgical approach, with well-developed plates allowing for tubularization procedures like Snodgrass repair, while poor-quality plates may require excision and substitution with grafts or flaps. Assessment of urethral plate characteristics, including the presence of chordee and tissue quality, is essential for surgical planning and outcome prediction.
Usage
Usage note: Quality assessment (good, fair, poor) should be documented in surgical planning.
In Context
- "The urethral plate was well-developed, allowing for a Snodgrass tubularized incised plate repair." — Operative report
- "Excision of the dysplastic urethral plate was necessary before graft placement." — Hypospadias surgery note