Pediatric Urological Surgery

Instructions For After Surgery

Anytime a child has a surgical procedure can be a stressful situation. Most procedures are now done on an outpatient basis. To help you with the postoperative care of your child, please read this to answer some common questions associated with the post-operative care.

What and when can my child eat after surgery?

Unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon, your child may resume their normal diet. Occasionally, a child may experience some nausea or a temporary decrease in appetite early in the post-operative period. If this should happen, start your child with a bland or light diet and advance to a regular diet as tolerated. If feeding intolerance persists to the second post-operative day contact your pediatric urologist.

Should I limit my child's activity?

Unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon, you should limit those activities that you can control. This is particularly true for older children who may have participated in certain physical activities before surgery, (e.g. karate, gymnastics, cheerleading or organized and competitive team sports) Children should not participate in those activities for at least 3 weeks after surgery. Do not worry about daily activities (climbing stairs, walking, running, etc.) Early on in the post-operative period, your child will self limit themselves.

When can my child return to school?

When your child has resumed his/her normal level of activity they can usually return to school.

What can I give my child for pain?

Depending on the procedure your child underwent, you will usually be given a prescription for pain medication. Please follow the instructions listed on the prescription. Routinely, we use Tylenol with codeine elixir for young children or Tylenol #3 or Percocet for older children. This is usually required for the first 24-48 hours post-operatively. If your child does not require or need this medication then Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) may be used. If using these over-the-counter medications please follow the directions on the container. Note the infant drops formulation is more concentrated than the pediatric liquid.

How should I care for the operative site?

Unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon, the operative site needs no dressings other than steri-strips (paper strips). These strips usually fall off after 10-14 days. If they have not fallen off, they will be removed at your first post-operative visit. If your child had a circumcision or minor penile operation we routinely place a xera-form gauze dressing (yellow gauze) on the penis and cover this with coban (brown tape). We ask that you remove this dressing on the second post-operative day. Sometimes you may need to soak the child in a tub to loosen the dressing. If your child had a hypospadias repair we will review with you how to care for the dressing the day of the surgery.

When can my child take a bath or swim?

Unless your child had a hypospadias repair, your child should sponge bathe for the first 48 hours after surgery, on the third day they may bathe in the tub or shower. We usually like to have children wait at least a week before swimming. If your child had a hypospadias repair we will review bathing instructions the day of surgery.

When should I schedule my child’s follow-up appointment?

You will be instructed on the day of surgery when to schedule your follow-up appointment. Notify your pediatric urologist if you notice wound : redness, bleeding, weeping, drainage, fever > 101.5 inability to consol your child, feeding intolerance.

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