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Hypospadias for parents

Post op management and discharge

What happens after hypospadias repair?

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  • After a hypospadias repair, we cover the operative area with dressing and secure the catheter.

  • Commonly, we insert a catheter (stent) inside child’s urethra. A catheter is a soft, hollow tube, usually made out of medical-grade material. A catheter helps child’s urethra maintain its shape as it heals and also drains urine. The catheter may remain in place for 1-2  weeks after the hypospadias repair. The catheter will drain into your child's diaper or a bag taped to his leg. Some urine may leak around the catheter when he urinates. There may also be a spot or two of blood. This is normal.

  • Antibiotics are prescribed in post operative period

  • Analgesics are provided for certain duration.

Hospital stay 

We commonly ask the child to stay in hospital for 2-5 days, depending upon the recovery from pain. During this period, we explain you about catheter care, how to take care of stool and feeding. We also explain how to flush catheter to prevent its blockage. Urine may leak around the tube or spurt through the tube. This is common and is not a problem, as long as most of the urine drains through the tube. Excessive leaking might indicate the tube is blocked. If you suspect this, flush the catheter. The catheter is placed between two diapers in smaller children. The inner diaper is for his bowel movements and the outer diaper will absorb his urine. If your child has a catheter, he may have bladder spasms. He may arch his back, bring his knees up to his chest and urine may squirt through or around the tube. Spasms aren't harmful, but may be uncomfortable. 

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Diapers

Cleaning and sponging

  • Keep your child’s penis and other affected areas as clean as possible to prevent infection. Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your child’s bandages.

  • If pee or poop gets on the bandages, gently clean the area with warm, soapy water away from his penis  and pat the area dry. The stent will constantly drain pee, so your child will require more frequent diaper changes as well.

  • Sponge bathing your child with warm water and soap is OK. Be careful around their affected areas and gently pat the areas dry.

When child will be discharged from hospital?

The child will be discharged on catheter, around 3-5 days after surgery, after you have learned catheter care and diaper changes,  and will be prescribed medicines. The catheter may be held in place with small stitches. The health care provider will remove the stitches with which catheter was fixed, when your child does not need the catheter anymore. 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.

Your child may eat a normal diet. Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. Fluids help keep the urine clean.

Your child's provider may write a prescription for some medicines:

  • Antibiotics to prevent infection.

  • Medicines to relax the bladder and stop bladder spasms. These may cause your child's mouth to feel dry.

  • Prescription pain medicine.

Doctor Writing Prescription
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