Our Summary

This research paper discusses a study on parents’ satisfaction after their child has undergone surgery for a condition called hypospadias, a birth defect in boys where the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis, instead of at the tip. The research team used a measure called decisional regret (DR) to gauge how satisfied parents were after the surgery. To collect this data, they sent a survey via text message to parents in the UK who had consented to the procedure for their child.

The results showed that 55% of parents felt no regret about their decision, while 6.2% experienced moderate to severe regret. Factors that were linked with increased regret included complications that required additional surgery. On the other hand, the number of cases performed by a surgeon did not seem to affect regret levels.

Importantly, the study found no difference in regret levels between parents whose children had been circumcised and those whose children had not, which contradicts findings from a previous study in Canada.

The researchers acknowledged a few limitations of the study, including the fact that surgeons submitted their own data on complications and potential selection bias in the survey responses.

In conclusion, the findings from this study could help improve counseling for parents before the surgery, and confirm that mobile technology can be a useful tool to gather feedback from parents.

FAQs

  1. What is the measure used by the research team to gauge parents’ satisfaction after their child’s hypospadias surgery?
  2. What factors were found to be linked with increased decisional regret among parents?
  3. Did the study find any difference in regret levels between parents whose children had been circumcised and those whose children had not?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hypospadias repair is to ensure they fully understand the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery, as well as the expected outcomes. It is important for parents to be well-informed and have realistic expectations to help minimize any feelings of regret post-surgery. Additionally, maintaining open communication with the healthcare team throughout the process can help address any concerns or questions that may arise.

Suitable For

Overall, patients who are typically recommended hypospadias repair are infants and young boys who are born with this condition. The decision to undergo surgery is usually made by the child’s parents in consultation with healthcare professionals. Factors such as the severity of the condition, the presence of associated complications, and the potential impact on the child’s quality of life are taken into consideration when recommending surgery. It is important for parents to be informed about the potential risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the likelihood of complications and the need for additional surgeries. This study highlights the importance of assessing parental satisfaction and regret following hypospadias repair, and suggests that efforts should be made to improve communication and support for parents throughout the decision-making process.

Timeline

Timeline of what a patient experiences before and after hypospadias repair:

Before surgery:

  • Diagnosis of hypospadias in the child
  • Consultation with a pediatric urologist to discuss treatment options
  • Decision-making process for surgery, including risks and benefits
  • Pre-operative preparation, such as blood tests and physical examination

During surgery:

  • Hypospadias repair surgery, which typically involves repositioning the urethral opening to the tip of the penis
  • Anesthesia and monitoring during the procedure
  • Potential complications during surgery, such as bleeding or infection

After surgery:

  • Post-operative care, including pain management and wound care
  • Monitoring for complications, such as urinary tract infections or fistulas
  • Follow-up appointments with the surgeon to assess healing and urinary function
  • Long-term outcomes, such as cosmetic appearance and urinary function, which may require additional surgeries or interventions

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after hypospadias repair involves a series of steps from diagnosis to post-operative care, with a focus on improving outcomes and quality of life for the child.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hypospadias repair include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  2. How experienced are you in performing hypospadias repair surgeries?
  3. What is the success rate of this surgery for correcting hypospadias?
  4. Will my child need additional surgeries or follow-up treatments after the initial procedure?
  5. What is the expected recovery time and what should I expect during the recovery process?
  6. Are there any long-term effects or implications of hypospadias repair that I should be aware of?
  7. How will my child’s quality of life be impacted by this surgery?
  8. Are there any alternative treatment options or conservative management strategies that we should consider?
  9. Can you provide me with information about support resources or organizations for families dealing with hypospadias?
  10. What should I do if I have any concerns or questions before or after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Bethell GS, Chhabra S, Shalaby MS, Corbett H, Kenny SE; BAPS NOAH Contributors. Journal: J Pediatr Urol. 2020 Apr;16(2):164.e1-164.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.01.005. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 32147349