A wet dressing for hypospadias surgery

Introduction One of the main problems faced by surgeons involved in male genitalia surgeries, in particular in children with hypospadias, is the type of dressing and its use during the post-operatory period. Materials and Methods From a multidisciplinary project involving the use of sugarcane biopolymer membrane developed in the last 10 years, produced by bacterial action over sugarcane molasses, we developed a multiperforated pellicle that, when applied around the penis, protects the surgical field. It is a proven inert material that does not induce any reaction on the surgical field and can be left in situ maintaining the same characteristics during a long period of time without the need of replacement. This multiperforated tape can involve several times the penis shaft and due to its adhesiveness it hardly loosens. We compared the use of this dressing with a commercial one (made by polyurethane). Thirty patients with hypospadias were randomly selected for the use of this new type of dressing in the last 18 months. A similar group of patients used a similar commercial dressing made of polyurethane (Tegaderm©) according to the same criteria of use. For safety reasons, we applied one or two sutures without the inclusion of the skin using an absorbable suture in order to prevent early detachment. A small gauze was left for 24 hours in order to absorb any possible bleeding. We recommended the irrigation of the dressing with water or saline at least three or four times a day and the patient was allowed to bath. The dressing did not need any special care and if not removed it usually detached spontaneously after 10 to 14 days. Results The tolerance to the material was satisfactory and there were no adverse reactions on the penile surface. In two cases of the biopolymer group the dressing detached spontaneously on the first and third days, respectively. In two cases of the polyurethane group it was observed major edema. The grade of satisfaction of the patients and their relatives was excellent on the biopolymer group. Conclusion This dressing produced by a polysaccharide is a promising alternative for the treatment of children and adolescents submitted to genital surgery. Its main advantage is the possibility of several washes along the day without the need of any other manipulation