Hypospadias Repair Surgery

Updated on October 06, 2009
A.M. asks from Baltimore, MD
8 answers

Hi all,

Our little boy (10-months old) was born with hypospadias, which is a birth defect of the male urinary tract. His repair surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. Have any of your children undergone surgery, in particular hypospadias repair? What was your experience like? Do you have any words of wisdom for us?

Thanks,
A.

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So What Happened?

Hello everyone,

Our son's surgery went very well this morning and he came out of the anesthesia beautifully. We've been home since about 11:30 a.m. After a little bit of playtime, and a light lunch, the boy is now napping. My husband is off to the grocery store to get the medications so we'll be prepared.

Thanks for all your advice and support!
A.

More Answers

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M.W.

answers from Washington DC on

We had this done to our son at 5 months old. He is 3 years old now and I don't remember a lot of the details. However, it went very well. He only really seemed to have some pain the first day and recovered quite quickly. It was red and swollen for awhile but healed well and looks and works fine now.

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K.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi There,

Our son had hypospadias repair as a 9 month old. It was really scary for us, having him experience this at such a young age, though I think it is better to take care of this before they are too mobile. Depending on the extent of the repair, they won't be able to straddle anything for awhile so it is better to have the repair done earlier. Our first surgery didn't actually correct the problem totally so he had to have a fistula repaired again at 18 months and it was much, much more difficult keeping his hands away from the repair during diaper changes.

One thing I was surprised with was how terrible it is when they first come out of anaethesia. Every one I know who had a child undergo surgery told me how tough it was. Our son was almost violent; shaking and thrashing around; my husband had to hold him just to keep him still. I wouldn't hesitate to ask the nurses for some immediate pain management right after if this happens to you. I think they gave him some demoral, which helped calm him down. If the repair requires a catheter, you should invest in the next size up diaper as you will be double diapering so will need a larger second diaper over his regular diapers.

It also isn't fun keeping your child from having anything to eat for all that time. I nursed him right after the procedure, but he wasn't really interested.

All in all, the procedure is not an uncommon one, so the doctors should have experience and make the procedure a smooth one.

Good luck!

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T.D.

answers from Lynchburg on

My son had surgery on his ureter at 7 months. Leading up to it I was nervous and I hated not being able to feed him before the surgery. He was hungry, but I couldn't do anything. We had bottled water and I dipped his pacifier in the water a few times to keep him calm. I had trouble with the catheters, too. I cried a lot over the catheters because he hated them so much, but it helped to have my husband there. Please make sure you have someone with you if your husband can't be there. You will need someone just to help you remember what to do, much less the support you need! I agree with the other posts, that his surgery went well, I'm thankful for the surgery, but at the time it was hard to go through. You WILL come out on the other side calmer and thankful. I would also suggest that if you have close family or a church family, that you ask one of them to prepare a meal for you for when you get home from the hospital. It's one less thing to think about! If you don't have that option, a couple of days before the surgery, make something and freeze it ready to eat - you will be thankful for that one less worry later. Also, see if the doctor can give you the prescription for the pain meds now so that you don't have to worry about filling it either during the surgery or right after. Most doctors will do that for you - or they will call it in to the pharmacy the day before. I hope some of these things help you on the practical side.

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S.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Amy,

My best friends son had this surgery done a little over a year ago. He did great. The hardest part was the catheter he had to have in for a week after surgery. If you have any questions about any of it please feel free to ask.

S.

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H.S.

answers from Richmond on

Amy,

My son had the same thing when he was born. He underwent the surgery when he was 7 months old (last November). Everything went great. But I was nervous, just like you are now.

When he comes out of the surgery he will be cranky, but that will most likely be due to coming off the anesthia. For the first couple days after the surgery he might have a cathater in. My son did and we were able to take it out my ourselves at home. I was nervous about that, but it worked out fine. After the cathater is out we had to apply ointment to the area a few times a day. He also needed 3 10-15 baths a day. Not baths with soap, but just 3 soakings. We had to do the baths for 6 weeks. The stitches that they used were dissolvable ones so we didn't need to come back to the hospital to have them removed. Overall, the whole surgery went well. Looking at the area now, you would never know there was a problem.

Where is he having the surgery done?

Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.

H.

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A.F.

answers from Norfolk on

Our first son had hypospadia and he had the surgery at 6 mo. YOu are always concerned when you have to had over your child to someone you don't know. I was a vervous wreck, but I knew it was best for him. He was back to his normal self in no time. I second, that you will need to give him soak bathes w/ no soap. Good Luck. Message if you have any other question.

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

My son had this surgery done at Hopkins by Dr. Matthews. It was better than I thought. Be prepared for several quiet days...lots of quiet activities. You will have to double diaper. The first diaper will have a window cut in it (by you). This diaper won't be changed unless he poops. The outer diaper will be for pee only as the tube will constantly leak urine...even when you are changing him. You want to get the pain meds for after asap..on your way home if you can't get the script while you are waiting. No baths until the tube is out.
Good luck!
N.

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K.S.

answers from Norfolk on

My son had this surgery and I have to say it wasn't that bad! Surgery always stinks, but I'm sure your little guy will be fine!

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