Caring for your child after hypospadius repair surgery (1951)

Key points below


Caring for your child after surgery

What is hypospadias?

The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.  Hypospadias is when the male urethra opening is not on the tip of the penis.  The opening is somewhere along the underside of the penis. 

What causes it?

In most cases, the cause of hypospadias is not known.  There is an increased risk of having this disorder if other male members in the family have it.

How is it treated?

Most often, hypospadias is repaired by surgery when your son is between 6 to 12 months of age. At birth your son will not be able to have a circumcision, as the extra foreskin may be needed for the repair.  

What happens on the day of surgery?

What happens after the procedure?

Dressing Care

If there is a drain tube (stent)

Bathing

Do not let your child take a tub bath or shower until after the follow-up visit. A sponge bath may be given and the dressing may be rinsed off if it is soiled. 

Pain

Diet

Activity

Talk to the doctor about when your child can go back to day care or school.  

Infection
You may be given a prescription for antibiotic medicine. Be sure your child takes the medicine. Your child should finish all of medicine unless the doctor tells you to stop.

Complications

Complications from the surgery may include:

Most complications are found soon after surgery, but some may take years before they are seen.

Pediatric Urology:

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30 pm, Phone: (414) 266-3794
Monday – Friday 4:30pm – 8:00am and weekends , Phone: (414) 266-2000

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if:

  • The stent comes out.
  • Urine does not drip freely after checking the stent to see if it is kinked.
  • The outer diaper stays dry or the urine bag is empty for more than 2 hours.
  • The inner diaper has urine in it.
  • Your child has a temperature higher than 101° F (38.5° C).
  • The dressing comes off before the follow-up visit.
  • The dressing is too tight.
  • Your child has pain that is not helped by medicine or gets worse.
  • Has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.