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11:30 - 11:35
ESPUN S6-4
(PP)
USE OF SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND POST-OPERATIVE
HEALING PHASES IN HYPOSPADIAS PATIENTS
Megan SAUNDERS, Paul BOWLIN and Walid FARHAT
The Hospital for Sick Children, Urology, Toronto, CANADA
PURPOSE
Hypospadias surgery is a common procedure routinely performed in a day care setting. Consequently, the majority of
the recovery process is observed solely by the patient’s caregiver(s). Post-operative caregiver concerns are common
and knowledge about the stages of healing is limited. We sought to utilize smartphone technology to follow and
document the post-operative course of these patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Caregiver(s) of patients undergoing hypospadias surgery by a single surgeon (WF) were identified, contacted, and
signed photography consent. Age of the patient, severity of hypospadias, and surgical details were
documented. Caregivers were instructed to take photos on post-operative days 1-7, 10, 14, 21, 35, and 42, and email
them to the urology team. Caregivers were encouraged to communicate their concerns, if any, through email.
RESULTS
Between October 2014 and February 2015, 25 of 28 patients who underwent hypospadias repair consented to
participate. To date, there are 11 full sets of pictures through post-operative day 42. Though the hypospadias severity
varied, the healing phases were similar. In the first few days (days 1-7), there was swelling, bruising, erythema, and
minor bleeding, which later (days 14-21) transitioned into generalized penile/scrotal bruising, and fibrinous tissue at the
suture lines. At days 35-42, the outcome was better delineated, however minor swelling remained.
CONCLUSIONS
Though the stages of wound healing are known, the use of smartphone technology aided the inter-professional team
and caregivers to visually better understand the post-operative course of hypospadias procedures. The photos
assembled may be used in the future as an educational tool for caregivers and providers.