What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed the medical records of 49 children who underwent a two-stage surgical repair to fix glans dehiscence, a complication following hypospadias surgery.
What They Found
Between 2009 and 2015, 49 children aged 16 months to 18 years presented with glans dehiscence, having had one to six prior operations. The first stage involved incising the glans and grafting oral mucosa or preputial skin, with any fistulas or chordee repaired. Six to twelve months later, the neo-plate was tubularized. In 11 patients who developed dusky skin flaps, nitroglycerine ointment was applied, and six of these children also received nine or ten 90-minute hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be a helpful additional treatment for children experiencing poor tissue healing, such as dusky skin flaps, after complex urological surgeries like hypospadias repair. While not a primary treatment for the initial condition, it could support recovery from specific post-surgical complications by enhancing blood supply to tissues.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This was a retrospective study, and only a small number of patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy, making it difficult to draw strong conclusions about its effectiveness.