OBJECTIVE The repair of severe primary hypospadias represents a major surgical challenge. After initial enthusiasm for single-stage procedures, many paediatric urologists have turned to the alternative two-stage approach after experiencing disappointing results. A single surgeon's experience of the two-stage procedure is reported. METHODS Between 1998 and 2003, 62 boys underwent a two-stage reconstruction for primary hypospadias. Indications for staged repair included proximal meatus (mid-shaft [18 patients], peno-scrotal [23] or perineal [two]), moderate or severe chordee (38 patients), poor glans groove, and lichen sclerosis. Inner prepuce was the graft of choice. Median age was 27.6 months at completion of surgery and median follow-up was 26 months. RESULTS All grafts took well and none of the 62 patients needed revision. One patient developed a haematoma. Maturation of the graft for at least six months ensured the best conditions for the second-stage closure. Overall the cosmetic and functional results after the second stage were excellent. The outcomes were determined by the parents' and surgeon's assessment of function and the cosmetic appearance. Complications included partial glans dehiscense (three patients), residual mild curvature (three) and meatal stenosis (three). CONCLUSIONS The two-stage repair has proved to be a reliable and reproducible technique with a low complication rate in a difficult cohort of hypospadias patients. Inner preputial skin grafts take very successfully on the ventral surface of the penis, and splitting the glans enables a slit-like meatus to be achieved. Excellent cosmetic results can be anticipated.