Retraction during hydrocelectomy??

[archergoddess]

My 16 mos son had a hydrocelectomy last Thursday. I noticed today that it looked like his intact penis had been retracted. It retracts over the whole head of the penis now and it is all red and wet in there. Before it would just retract on its own over the opening. Would there be a reason for them to do this during the surgery??? I don't believe he was catheterized since the surgery was only 40 min long. Anyone have any experience in this area. I am one upset mama!!!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I am not familiar with the surgery but if they needed to cath him for any reason ie a specimen or something along those lines then it is very possible they did retract him. When you talked to the Dr about the surgery did you talk about leaving his foreskin alone at all?

A few posters have had their ds's forcibly retracted during surgery for no other reason than the Dr. felt it should be done because the boy was X age and not retractable yet.

I hope you are not retracting it now and just happened to see him do it.

[archergoddess]

The idea of mentioning something to the Dr. about the foreskin didn't even pop in my head b/c his surgery was on the testicles and not the penis.

I was wondering why the first couple of days after surgery he would get upset when he had to pee and would grab the front of his diaper like it hurt. That is b/c it probably did!

[archergoddess]

I noticed that it looked red when I was wiping him down so I investigated.

[Night_Nurse]

Call the surgeon and ask. If he can't remember, call the hospital and find out the name of the surgical nurse and ask him or her. You are his mother. You have a right to know this information.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would just be guessing but based on past stories of this kind of thing he was probably retracted. The excuse one mama got when this happened to her boy was that the dr. saw it wasnt retractable and decided to forcibly do it for him since it should have been already. I forget the age of the child but he wasnt that old. It seems like he had a similar surgery as your ds but my memory is hazy. Anyone remember the story I am refering to?

I would get some OTC bacatracin and put that on there to aid in healing and keep germs out. Right now the most important thing is to let his body heal itself.

I would do as Night Nurse suggested and call the surgeon and/or the surgical nurse.

[Dave2GA]

There is never a reason to forcibly retract a boy to put in a catheter. Repairing a hydrocele does not require retracting the foreskin. Sounds like your son has been the victim of a battery at the risk of paraphimosis.

[archergoddess]

Well I called the surgeon's office yesterday. The nurse told me it was normal procedure to "inspect" and "facilitate" any skin that might be "stuck". I am livid. I am suprised they didn't vaccinate my child after the surgical nurse's response when she was taking our vaccination history. I feel like my son has been raped in some ways. I have a follow up appt mid August. I want to let the surgeon know my opinion on what he did. I would also like to take in research or articles to share with the doctor on why you shouldn't forcibly retract teh foreskin. Does anyone have any leads they could share with me?

[NettleTea]

Originally Posted by archergoddess

The nurse told me it was normal procedure to "inspect" and "facilitate" any skin that might be "stuck".

Wow. That is wrong on so many levels. You take your kid in for a completely separate issue and then this is done. Typical "busy body" medical world. Can't ever keep their hands still. :

[PuppyFluffer]

I am sorry this happened to your son. I agree with you, he has been assaulted and I would love to see you persue legal actiion against the medical people who did this to him.

If you took a girl child in for surgery and she came back with her genital tissue damaged and inflammed, would you consider it a physical assault? If so, what actions would you take?

It angers me greatly that medical staff hurt children like this.

[Ann-Marita]

Originally Posted by archergoddess

I feel like my son has been raped in some ways.

Anything similar, done to a girl, would be considered sexual abuse! Your feelings are right on target.

[perspective]

The most disturbing part of this is the fact that the nurse treated the question as if it was nothing. What you choose to do at this point is up to you, but at the very LEAST I would make a big stink about this so the doctor and nurses do not treat an action such as this so casually.

DEFINATLY bring in info for your doctor. I would suggest talking to some big wigs in the Intactivism movement, I am sure you can email them, and get some great studies/articles on what they did wrong.

But if legal action is where you want to go, there are anti-circ lawyers that might be able to help you out.

[Frootloop]

Originally Posted by PuppyFluffer

I am sorry this happened to your son. I agree with you, he has been assaulted and I would love to see you persue legal actiion against the medical people who did this to him.

If you took a girl child in for surgery and she came back with her genital tissue damaged and inflammed, would you consider it a physical assault? If so, what actions would you take?

It angers me greatly that medical staff hurt children like this.

My thoughts exactly.

When you do you go in for your followup and present the surgeon with the information that you're sure to gather from the wonderful people here, ask them if they would break the hymen of a female child.. you know, just to help facilitate it along, as well..? I mean, it'd be practically the SAME DAMN THING, right?

OMG I am livid for you and your little one. I am so very sorry he was violated like that..

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I was afraid of that having seen it happen before on the board I cant say I am surprised though, angry yes but surprised no. I so hope that you do something anything to help another little boy that might be in the same position as your ds.

The AAP Intact Care Guide is very clear on not forcing retraction. So they are going against the recommendations of their own governing body.

[Leav97]

Originally Posted by archergoddess

Well I called the surgeon's office yesterday. The nurse told me it was normal procedure to "inspect" and "facilitate" any skin that might be "stuck". I am livid. I am suprised they didn't vaccinate my child after the surgical nurse's response when she was taking our vaccination history. I feel like my son has been raped in some ways. I have a follow up appt mid August. I want to let the surgeon know my opinion on what he did. I would also like to take in research or articles to share with the doctor on why you shouldn't forcibly retract teh foreskin. Does anyone have any leads they could share with me?

Ask for a copy of the consent form and where you agreed to this. Ask them why they are violating the AAPs recommendations against retraction.

[PuppyFluffer]

ARchergoddes, did you ever get any follow up answers to this situation? How is your son doing?

[pdx.mothernurture]

You did NOT CONSENT to the surgical retraction of your son's foreskin. What they did was illegal and assaultive. I would calmly try to get his surgical record while simultaneously contacting a malpractice lawyer. Also, if there is any visible redness or irritation or tears around the opening I would find a way to get that medically documented asap. Also keep a record of his behavior post op, any discharge or blood in the diaper, etc. IMO one of the ways of making sure this doesn't happen to other children is to take legal action.