GFC technique

Almost all complications in hypospadias surgery are related to non-anatomical reconstruction of the glanular urethra.    

Dr Hüseyin Özbey

Due to centuries-old misconceptions in the reconstruction of male urethra, hypospadias surgery has become a complex surgical procedure that is difficult to achieve satisfactory results even in the hands of experienced surgeons.

In normal human penis anatomy, the corpus spongiosum covers the urethra up to the mid-glanular (sub-coronal) level. After that level, a fibrous tissue (septum glandis) surrounds the glanular urethra (fossa navicularis), separates the two hemiglans, connects the upper and lower median septum and holds the glanular urethra in the midline as a suspensory ligament. The glans wings are separated by the 'septum glandis' and a ventral cleft between the glans wings that accommodates the frenulum, which is epidermally lined extension of the septum. Hence, the 'septum glandis' and frenulum are also included in the formation of the distal (glanular and subcoronal) urethra. In addition to a defective urethra and its corpus spongiosum, the 'septum glandis' and frenulum are entirely missing in hypospadias. The foreskin is not fused ventrally; it appears as a hood over the glans penis. Recent studies have shown that masculinization of the urethral plate occurs in association with the growth and fusion of the preputial fold along the ventral midline of the genital tubercle, which also forms the frenulum of the proximal part of the glanular urethra. Therefore, it is clear that formation of a normal glanular urethra, with its fossa navicularis, 'septum glandis' and frenulum are important indicators of an anatomical hypospadias reconstruction. This has inspired a hypospadias repair technique (GFC:Glanular-Frenular Collar technique) that simulates the development of the glanular and subcoronal urethra, which can be incorporated into the repair of all cases of hypospadias.

The GFC technique involves reconstruction of the septum glandis, which has been overlooked in the history of hypospadias, and formation of the frenulum, creating the ventral wall of the glanular urethra without dissecting the glans, leaving room for the formation of the navicular fossa. The GFC technique aims to restore the functional anatomy of the glans,  replicating the embryologic development of the glanular urethra. The GFC technique allows a tension-free tubularization of the glanular urethra, afforded by the limited spongioplasty. The space provided for the reformation of the fossa navicularis is supported by loose connective tissue (septum and frenulum) ventrally. The ventral aspect of the glans penis should not be covered (compounded) by the glans wings over its full length, in order to accommodate the frenulum. The GFC technique doesn’t necessitate glans dissection, is neither limited, nor extensive. Subepithelial approximation has been found to be anatomically and physiologically sufficient. With the GFC technique, normal urine flow (wave-like shape) is obtained in all patients.

The detailed anatomy of any organ and/or malformation can be further defined based on new knowledge, as in hypospadias. The anatomical differences between the glanular and penile urethra, the structures such as the septum glandis and the fossa navicularis are new definitions that have led to a paradigm shift in hypospadias. The finding that the wings of the glans are not fused together ventrally but are separated by the septum glandis represents a new insight and clarifies the causes of the complications that frequently occur in hypospadias, such as meatal stenosis, fistula and the so-called glans-dehiscence. Reconstruction of hypospadias should include the formation of a septum glandis, frenulum, and navicular fossa with a dual surgical approach for glanular and penile urethra reconstruction.

Click to read the articles:

The Glanular-Frenular Collar (GFC) technique: dual approach to hypospadias reconstruction  J Pediatr Urol 2024;20:539-540

Hypospadias repair with the GLANULAR-FRENULAR COLLAR (GFC) TECHNIQUE J Pediatr Urol  2017;13:34e1-34e6

Glans wings are separated ventrally by the septum glandis and frenulum penis: MRI documentation and surgical implications Turk J Urol 2017;43:525-529

Anatomical modeling of the foreskin for the reconstruction of glanular hypospadias  J Pediatr Urol 2017;3:335-337

A closer look at iatrogenic hypospadias Andrologia 2020;00:e13803

 VIDEO

The MRI of the penis shows the "septum glandis" between the glans wings.
The MRI of the penis shows the "fossa navicularis", "septum glandis" and the "distal ligament".

The Glanular-Frenular Collar (GFC) technique

Preoperative and postoperative images of a patient operated with the GFC technique.
Preoperative and postoperative images of a patient operated with the GFC technique.
Preoperative and postoperative images of a patient operated with the GFC technique.
Preoperative and postoperative views of a patient with penoscrotal hypospadias repaired with the GFC technique. Note the wave pattern of the urine stream.
Preoperative and postoperative images of a patient operated with the GFC technique.
Preoperative and postoperative images of a patient operated with the GFC technique. Note the wave-like shape of the urine flow.
Wave-like shape of the urine coming out from the urethra after the GFC operation (Normal urination without stenosis)
Wave-like shape of the urine coming out from the urethra after the GFC operation (Normal urination without stenosis)

Functional anatomy of the glans penis and glanular urethra.