DR SHANDIP KUMAR SINHA
Pediatric Surgeon, Pediatric Urologist and Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgeon
Hypospadias for parents
Care at home and Catheter removal
Taking Care of Your Child at home
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A dressing will be wrapped around the penis.
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If stool gets on the outside of the dressing, clean it gently with soapy water. Be sure to wipe away from the penis. Do not scrub.
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Give your child sponge baths until the dressing is off. When you do start bathing your son, use only warm water. Do not scrub. Gently pat him dry afterwards.
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Some oozing from the penis is normal. You may see some spotting on the dressings, diaper, or underpants.
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Please encourage quiet play. Watching television, playing board games or walking your infant in a stroller are encouraged.
Inform your doctor/emergency team if
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The dressing rolls down and is tight around the penis.
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No urine has passed through the catheter for 4 hours.
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Stool gets underneath the dressing (not just on top of it).
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Persistent low-grade fever or fever over 101°F (38.3°C) in the week after surgery.
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Increased swelling, pain, drainage, or bleeding from the wound.
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A lot of urine leakage around the catheter. This means the tube is blocked.
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Your child has thrown up more than 3 times and cannot keep fluid down.
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The stitches holding the catheter come out.
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You have any concerns about your child's condition.
Further OPD visit
The child will be called in OPD 2-3 fays after discharge to check dressing. If healing had happened, Catheter will be removed. The catheter is held in place with small stitches. The health care provider will remove the stitches with which catheter was fixed and then gently it is pulled out. it is a relatively painless process and your child will not have any discomfort. We use dissolvable stitches to close the incisions (cuts). The stitches should dissolve within two weeks – 6 months, depending upon the type of suture used.
Follow up advise after removal of catheter removal
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Your child may eat a normal diet. Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. Fluids help keep the urine clean.
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Infants may do most of their normal activities except for swimming or playing in a sandbox. It is fine to take your baby for walks in the stroller.
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Older boys should avoid contact sports, riding bicycles, straddling any toys, or wrestling for 3 weeks. It is a good idea to keep your child home from preschool or daycare the first week after his surgery.
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It may be painful for your child to pee after their removal of the catheter. This pain should go away after a few days, but it may take up to two weeks.
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Your child's penis will be swollen and bruised. This will get better after a few weeks. Full healing will take up to 6 weeks to few months.