Placeholder graphic Placeholder graphic

You are here: Home > Specialties and Services > Surgery

General, Minimally Invasive & Thoracic Surgery

print page content

Instructions For Your Child After Repair Of An Undescended Testicle (Orchidopexy)

DRESSING:

Your child will either have:

  • Small white bandages (Steri-strips®) – These will usually fall off in 7-10 days.
  • Clear plastic dressing (Collodion®) – This may begin to fall off as early as the evening after surgery.
  • White gauze dressing covered by clear plastic (Tegaderm®) - Remove this dressing after 3 days.

STITCHES: Stitches hold the incision together.

  • They are under the skin; they do not need to be removed.
  • The body will absorb them.
  • Your child may have a button on his scrotum.  The button is secured by a stitch.
  • Your doctor may recommend that Bacitracin® ointment be applied between the skin and the button after baths and diaper changes on infants, for older children at least 3-4 times a day.
  • The scrotum on the side of the button may appear more swollen than the other side, and may be discolored.  This is expected.

BATH:

  • Keep the dressing dry for 3 days – Sponge bathing is okay.
  • After 3 days the child should have tub baths in warm water.
  • Use a mild soap such as Ivory®.
  • Bathing helps healing, comfort, and cleanliness.

ACTIVITY:

Today:

  • Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
  • Your child may be unsteady on his feet.
  • Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

  • No strenuous activity such as bike riding, gymnastics, contact sports, martial arts or school gym until you check with the doctor at the follow-up appointment.

DIET:

  • Your child may eat or drink as usual.
  • If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours.   Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Then slowly start on their normal diet.

PAIN:

  • Your child may have a prescription for pain medication such as Tylenol® with Codeine. If the incision remains uncomforatble use the prescription medication according to instructions.
  • Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.