Caring for Your Child after Hypospadias Repair
Hypospadias is a common problem in which the urethra (urine channel) opens on the underside of the penis. This handout provides guidelines for care after a hypospadias repair with and without a stent. A stent is a hollow plastic tube that supports the repair.
Dressing Care
Your child’s penis will have a clear sticky dressing wrapped around it. Leave this dressing on until it falls off. If the dressing falls off, do not put on a new dressing or Vaseline®.
Keep the penis as dry as you can until his follow-up visit.
There will be a lot of redness, swelling and bruising of the penis and some spotty bleeding along the wounds.
If there is a stent in place, the stent is sewn to the penis. It will be gently taken out in clinic. Do your best to clean up his bowel movements, but unusual measures to clean around the penis are not needed as long as the clear dressing remains in place. Do not attempt to push the tube back in if it comes out. If it comes out, cut it free. There is no need to go to the emergency room.
Activity
No strenuous activity for 10 days. Try to keep him flat as much as possible for 24 hours. Walking, lying or crawling is the best position otherwise. Try not to have him sit all day.
Diet
Offer your child plenty of fluids.
Medicine
As the pain medicine wears off, your child may cry, fuss or complain of pain. Bladder spasms may occur and will cause sudden outbursts of crying or screaming. The doctor will order pain medicine, and an antibiotic. Apply bacitracin to the tip of the penis until the clear dressing comes off. Stop bacitracin once the dressing comes off.
Follow-Up Care
A return to clinic visit will be made for your child before you leave. If you have any problems or questions, please call your doctor.
When to Call the Doctor
1. Bleeding (spotting is OK)
2. Pus or foul smelling drainage from wound or penis
3. Temperature over 101°F. under the arm
4. Pain not relieved by the pain medicine
5. Signs of dehydration
- Less than 3 wet diapers/voids in 24 hours
- Dark yellow urine
6. No bowel movement in _____ days
Phone Numbers
Pediatric Urology Clinic, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
(608) 263-6420
After hours and weekends, the clinic number will be answered by the paging operator. Ask for the Urology Resident on call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
Toll Free: 800-323-8942
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/28/2013
Copyright © 02/28/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5246
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