Following Hypospadias Repair Repositioning the urethra to the tip of the penis: Day Case Repair

Information for parents and carers

Urology Department

Hypospadias Repair – Repositioning of the Urethra (Day Case Repair) (203kB)

What to expect after surgery

Your child will have a stent to allow him to pass urine. A stent is a small tube which passes through his penis and into his bladder; this allows his wound to heal after surgery.
It is important to protect the dressing as this holds the stent in place. Please try and keep your child’s hands away from the dressing when you are changing the nappy. If possible one person should change the nappy whilst another person distracts your child, keeping his hands away, if necessary.

Please remember that your child can mobilise (move about), but should avoid vigorous activity for as long as they have a stent in place. This will be at least seven days, or sometimes up to 10 days after the operation. We appreciate that this can be difficult, but it is important.

Wash your hands well with liquid soap and water and dry them with kitchen towel before nappy changes. When you change the nappy, please take care not to pull on the stent and dressing.

If your child develops a temperature or starts vomiting, this may be due to an infection. Contact Ward 3A 0151 252 5416 for advice if you have any worries.

Drinking

Drinking is really important while your child has a stent. Plenty of fluids help to ensure the stent drains well and doesn’t get blocked. The stent should be dripping at all times, and not become twisted or kinked. Blood or mucous can appear in the stent and this can sometimes lead to a blockage.

Medication

Your child will be prescribed medication to take following surgery. It is important that your child takes this medication to prevent infection and to make him more comfortable. Please do not try to hide the medication in drinks, as this can cause your child to refuse fluids. The fluids are just as important as the drugs themselves.

The drugs we use are:

• Trimethoprim (twice a day) – An antibiotic to prevent infection
• Paracetamol & Ibuprofen – Analgesia to control pain

Some children also need:

• Oxybutynin – To prevent bladder spasms while the stent is in place
• Lactulose & Senna – Laxatives to prevent /treat constipation

Bladder spasms

Bladder spasms sometimes occur with a stent. Some children need Oxybutynin to control bladder spasms while the stent is in place. Oxybutynin will be effective in many cases, but spasms can still happen.

If bladder spasms are going to be a problem, they usually start within 48 hours of surgery. The symptoms can be mild, like an itchy bottom, or cause sudden tenseness and pain, which can be quite distressing

Help when you get home

If you have any problems at all, please telephone Ward 3A on 0151 252 5416, where staff will do their best to help you.

Or you can contact the Urology Nurse team on 0151 252 5852: Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm

Preparing for removal of the dressing & stent

Your child can have a bath, if he wants to, on the evening before, or the morning of the dressing removal.

Please give your child a dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen at least one hour before your appointment to take off his dressing. If your child has needed to take oxybutynin, please do not give him a morning dose on the day you return for dressing and stent removal.

This will help him to pass urine more quickly after the procedure. It is also important to give him lots of drinks.

Stent removal is not particularly painful, but the whole process of removing the dressings etc can be quite uncomfortable. If we need to give pain relief when you arrive, there will be a delay while it takes effect.

You will then be asked to stay in the hospital until your child has passed urine (had a good wee). This could take him a few hours since his bladder was empty (after having the stent in place).

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

PIAG: 045