Discharge Instructions After an Orchiopexy

Orchiopexy (surgery for an undescended testicle)

Your son is having an operation called orchiopexy to repair an undescended testicle. The testes (testicles) first develop in the abdomen (belly area). They usually move into the scrotum by the time a baby is born. This movement is necessary for safe and normal development of the testes. Sometimes, one or both testes stay in the abdomen. Some eventually move down into the scrotum without surgery. If this does not happen, your child must have an orchiopexy to bring the testes into the scrotum. Your child can go home the same day of surgery.

Diet

When can my child eat?
Your child may resume a normal diet after discharge from the hospital.

What should I do about nausea and vomiting?
Below are tips if your child has trouble with nausea and vomiting:

• Let your child’s stomach rest for 30 minutes. Then, return to clear liquids. Clear liquids include Sprite®, apple juice or water.
• When your child can keep clear liquids down, slowly work up to a normal diet.
• Have your child lay down or sit quietly

If the vomiting is persistent or continues, call your child’s care team for next steps.

How will I know if my child is drinking enough?
Dehydration can occur. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Lack of tears
• Not urinating for 6-8 hours or small amount of dark colored urine. Your child should have 6-8 wet diapers per day.

If your child has these symptoms call your doctor or bring your child to the closest emergency room.

Pain

How can I tell if my child is in pain?
Your child’s care team wants your child to be comfortable, although no surgery is pain free. Some children can tell you about their pain. For all children, it is important to offer comfort and listen to their concerns.

Other ways children communicate they are in pain include:

• Moaning
• Whimpering
• Making faces of pain
• Crying
• Irritability
• Being inactive
• Having no appetite
• Not sleeping

How can I tell if my child needs pain medicine or other medicines?
If your child is experiencing pain, you can give them medicine. If it is not time for the medicine, try other ways to control pain such as:

• Watching a favorite show
• Ice packs
• Play games

If these do not work, call your child’s care team to see if changes in the dose or type of medication are needed.

What medicines does my child need?
Acetaminophen alternating with Ibuprofen should be given every 4 hours for the first 24 hours after surgery. These are over the counter medications. Sometimes your doctor will want you to give ibuprofen every 8 hours. Please ask your child’s nurse. Your child does not need to be awakened to keep the dosing schedule.

In addition to over-the-counter medications, your child’s care team may prescribe a stronger medication may be prescribed as needed. If these medications do not help, call your child’s care team and ask to speak to the nurse. If you call outside of normal business hours, call MGfC at 617-726-2000 and ask the operator to page the pediatric urology resident on call.

Bandage/wound care

How much drainage is normal?
Usually the wound is closed with Steri-Strips™ (small white strips that help close the edges of the wound). They should fall off about 7-14 days after surgery. You can remove them when they start to peel off.

If another dressing is on top of the Steri-Strips™, it may be removed with the first bath. There are usually sutures (stitches) on the scrotum. These should dissolve on their own. They do not need to be removed.

How much drainage is normal?
It is normal to see swelling and bruising around the incision and in the scrotum. A small amount of drainage is also normal.

If the incision is dripping blood, apply pressure for 10-15 minutes with a soft, clean cloth and call your child’s care team for next steps. If you cannot stop the bleeding, take your child to the nearest emergency room.

When can the dressing come off?
You may remove the outer dressing with the first bath after surgery.

Bathing/showering

When can my child take a bath or shower?
Your child can bathe 2 days after surgery. Place your child in a warm bathtub twice a day for several days. This will help with healing and swelling.

Activity

How active can my child be?
Below are tips on activity levels for your child:

• Anesthesia can make your child feel sleepy or groggy. For the first the day after surgery, your child should not do any activities that require balance such as bike riding, playground equipment, scooters, etc.
• Do not allow your child to straddle any toys with narrow bars or seats, such as a bicycle or walker for 3 weeks after surgery.
• If your child uses a car seat, place them in it as usual.
• After the first day after surgery, your child can do activities safely and carefully.
• If your child is taking prescription pain medication (such as Oxycodone, Lortab® or hydrocodone), they can become sleepy or dizzy. Watch your child and prevent them from falling.

Behavior

What is normal behavior after surgery?
It is very normal to see behavior changes after surgery. Most changes in behavior only last a few days to 2 weeks. If they last longer than 3-4 weeks, call your child’s care team.

Some examples of changes include:

• Regression (acting like a younger child, such as bedwetting or acting out)
• Changes in sleeping and eating patterns, or nightmares Being patient with your child will help reduce these changes. Comfort your child and help them feel safe. Understand that your child has been upset by surgery.

What to watch for

Swelling

• The incisions usually swell and become red for about ½ inch around the edges. The scrotum is often swollen and discolored (bruised).
• If the swelling or redness is beyond ½ inch, call your child’s care team at 617-724-0327 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and speak to the nurse.

If the office is closed, call MGfC at 617-726-2000 and ask the operator to page the pediatric urology resident on call.

Temperature
Mild fevers after surgery are common. If the fever is above 102° Fahrenheit (38.8° C) for more than 24 hours after surgery, please call your child’s care team and speak to the nurse.

Bleeding
If the incision is dripping blood, apply pressure for 10-15 minutes with a soft, clean cloth and call your child’s care team for next steps. If you cannot stop the bleeding, take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Whom to call

Please call Pediatric Urology at 617-724-0327 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If the office is closed, please call MGfC at 617-726-2000. Ask the operator to page the pediatric urology resident on call.

If there is an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.

Follow-up appointment

Please call your child’s care team at 617-724-0327 to make a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Special instructions

Go to the closest emergency room or call 911 if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive bleeding
• If you cannot arouse or wake up your child

A note for when you are on the way home…

Observe your child during the ride home. They may sleep but their head and neck should not fall or slump forward. This may cause their airway to become blocked or cause difficulty with breathing. Your child should be in a child safety seat with proper restraints.

Rev. 7/2020. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.