A prospective randomized clinical trial to evaluate wound healing, cosmetic and functional results as well as postoperative adverse events comparing two types of dressing technique after hypospadias repair.

Background: Dressing technique after hypospadias repair is one of the most controversially discussed subjects in the aftercare. Although current literature presents an enormous number of publications regarding postoperative dressing techniques, there is still no consent on how and if to perform postoperative dressing. The aim of this study is to evaluate two techniques (circular film dressing vs. silver pad covered with film dressing) frequently used in clinical routine after hypospadias surgery.

Methods: Primary outcomes of this prospective randomized clinical trial were wound healing using Southampton Wound Assessment Scale (SWAS) and cosmetic and functional result using Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE)-Score. Secondary outcomes were postoperative adverse events.

Results: 44 patients were included and randomized into two groups (n = 24 for film dressing vs. n = 20 silver pad dressing). Concerning the primary outcomes, no significant difference in SWAS and HOPE score could be shown. Secondary outcomes showed a statistically significant higher rate of wound dehiscence in the silver pad group and no other statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: This study could not show superiority of one dressing regarding wound healing or functional and cosmetic result and thereby strengthens the assumption that the individual dressing technique does not play a crucial role in the postoperative outcome.