Hypospadias Repair
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
Hypospadias repair is surgery to repair your child's urethra or curved penis.
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WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
Before your child's surgery:
- Informed consent is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that your child may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your child's medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done to your child. Make sure all of your questions are answered.
- An IV is a small tube placed in your child's vein that is used to give medicine or liquids.
- General anesthesia will keep your child asleep and free from pain during surgery. Anesthesia may be given through your child's IV. He or she may instead breathe it in through a mask or a tube placed down his or her throat. The tube may cause your child to have a sore throat when he or she wakes up.
During your child's surgery:
- General anesthesia will keep your child asleep and free from pain during surgery. Your child's surgeon will make an incision around your child's penis. This loosens the skin and helps your child's penis to straighten. The surgeon may use a piece of foreskin or tissue from another area to make your child's urethra longer. A new opening will then be created for your child's urethra at the tip of his penis.
- The surgeon will place a catheter in your child's urethra to keep it open and drain urine while it heals. The catheter will be attached to the penis with small stitches. Urine will drain into your child's diaper. If your child is older, he may have a drainage bag to collect his urine. Your child's surgeon may cover your child's penis with a bandage.
After your child's surgery:
Your child will be taken to a room to rest until he is fully awake. He will be monitored closely for any problems. Do not let your child get out of bed until his healthcare provider says it is okay. He will then be able to go home or taken to his hospital room.
- A urinary catheter allows urine to flow freely into your child's diaper. If your child is older, the urine will drain into a bag. Keep the bag below his waist. This will prevent urine from flowing back into his bladder and causing an infection or other problems. Also, keep the tube free of kinks so the urine will drain properly. Do not pull on the catheter. This can cause pain and bleeding, and may cause the catheter to come out. Healthcare providers will remove the catheter as soon as possible to help prevent infection.
- Encourage your child to drink liquids. This will help him urinate and decrease pressure in his urethra.
- Medicines:
- Pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until your child's pain is severe before you ask for more medicine.
- Antibiotics help prevent a bacterial infection.
- Muscle relaxers helps relax your child's bladder and prevent spasms.
RISKS:
Your child may bleed more than expected or get an infection. His incision wound may not heal properly. He may develop a small opening from his urethra to his skin called a fistula. Scarring may develop in your child's urethra and cause trouble urinating. Your child's penis may remain curved, even after surgery. He may still have problems urinating. Your child may be unhappy with how his penis looks. He may have trouble with sexual activity when he is older.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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