DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Postoperative dressing plays a vital role in the healing process following hypospadias repair. An ideal dressing should minimize complications such as wound dehiscence, meatal stenosis, and urethrocutaneous fistula. However, the optimal dressing method remains a matter of debate. Objective: To compare the postoperative outcomes between occlusive hydrocolloid dressing and petroleum-impregnated gauze with zinc oxide adhesive plaster in children undergoing primary hypospadias repair. Study Design: Prospective non-randomized controlled trial. Setting: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery Center, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 03-February-2025 to 03-May-2025. Methods: A total of 158 pediatric patients aged 1–14 years undergoing primary hypospadias repair were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A (n = 79) received an occlusive hydrocolloid dressing, and Group B (n = 79) received petroleum-impregnated gauze with zinc oxide adhesive plaster. A standardized surgical technique was followed for all patients, and dressings were removed on postoperative day 3. Postoperative complications including urethrocutaneous fistula, meatal stenosis, and wound dehiscence were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in 10.1% of patients in Group A and 8.9% in Group B (p = 0.78). Meatal stenosis was observed in 2.5% of patients in Group A and 1.3% in Group B (p = 0.56). Wound dehiscence was reported in 3.8% of Group A and 2.5% of Group B patients (p = 0.64). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for any of the assessed outcomes. Conclusion: Both occlusive hydrocolloid dressing and petroleum-impregnated gauze with zinc oxide plaster demonstrated comparable outcomes in terms of urethrocutaneous fistula, meatal stenosis, and wound dehiscence following primary hypospadias repair. Either dressing modality may be considered based on clinical preference, cost, and availability.