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Styrofoam cup penile dressing
STYROFOAM CUP PENILE JOHN
B. HUNT,
ARTHUR
M.D.
M. SMITH,
ROY WITHERINGTON,
M.D. M.D.
From the Section of Urology, of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
The &Medical College
At no time in surgery is a dressing more important than &er penile plastic operations. Keeping a pressure dressing intact can be frustrating, especially for the young child. A simple penile dressing using a standard Styrofoam cup, is described. While the patient is still under anesthesia, a gauze dressing is applied to the penis, leaving the tip of the glans visible. The bottom is removed from a standard &ounce Styrofoam cup. The cup is inverted over the penis allowing a two-tailed traction suture placed into the glans to exit through the bottom. One end of the suture is then taped to each side of the cup, maintaining -just enough tension to keep the penis upright. Tincture of benzoin is applied to the cup’s exterior and along the patient’s lower abdomen and thighs. Sufficient adhesive tape is applied to the patient and cup to secure it in place (Fig. 1). If desired, holes may be cut in the side of the cup for ventilation. This dressing has a&rded gratifying results after plastic operations on the penis. The materials used are inexpensive, readily available in every operating room, and do not have to be sterilized. Cups of varying sizes can be used, depending on the need. The penis is properly positioned with respect to the body. Early postoperative edema is minimal, and the tip of the glans remains visible through the open end of the cup (Fig. 2). Penile viability can be virtually assured by inspection. The cup protects the penis from trauma by the inquisitive patient and parents. Additionally, it keeps the bed sheets from touching the penis and eliminates the need for a bed cradle. The dressing does not have to be b u lk y, and adequate ventilation of the penis is assured. A urethral catheter, if used, can be brought out through the bottom of the cup and taped to the abdomen. The dressing does not prevent use of suprapubic cystostomy or perineal urethrostomy. Even the youngest child
UROLOGY
/
FEBRUARY
1980
/
DRESSING
VOLUME XV. NUMBER 2
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
Styrofoam cup secured in place.
Tip of glans seen through open end of cup.
tolerates the dressing well, and ambulation is permitted very early postoperatively. The dressing is easily removed at the appropriate time after the traction suture in the glans is cut. The dressing can be changed easily if necessary. This simple Styrofoam cup dressing is recommended for penile plastic operations. Augusta, Georgia 30912 (DR. WITHERINGTON)
173
B. HUNT,
ARTHUR
M.D.
M. SMITH,
ROY WITHERINGTON,
M.D. M.D.
From the Section of Urology, of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
The &Medical College
At no time in surgery is a dressing more important than &er penile plastic operations. Keeping a pressure dressing intact can be frustrating, especially for the young child. A simple penile dressing using a standard Styrofoam cup, is described. While the patient is still under anesthesia, a gauze dressing is applied to the penis, leaving the tip of the glans visible. The bottom is removed from a standard &ounce Styrofoam cup. The cup is inverted over the penis allowing a two-tailed traction suture placed into the glans to exit through the bottom. One end of the suture is then taped to each side of the cup, maintaining -just enough tension to keep the penis upright. Tincture of benzoin is applied to the cup’s exterior and along the patient’s lower abdomen and thighs. Sufficient adhesive tape is applied to the patient and cup to secure it in place (Fig. 1). If desired, holes may be cut in the side of the cup for ventilation. This dressing has a&rded gratifying results after plastic operations on the penis. The materials used are inexpensive, readily available in every operating room, and do not have to be sterilized. Cups of varying sizes can be used, depending on the need. The penis is properly positioned with respect to the body. Early postoperative edema is minimal, and the tip of the glans remains visible through the open end of the cup (Fig. 2). Penile viability can be virtually assured by inspection. The cup protects the penis from trauma by the inquisitive patient and parents. Additionally, it keeps the bed sheets from touching the penis and eliminates the need for a bed cradle. The dressing does not have to be b u lk y, and adequate ventilation of the penis is assured. A urethral catheter, if used, can be brought out through the bottom of the cup and taped to the abdomen. The dressing does not prevent use of suprapubic cystostomy or perineal urethrostomy. Even the youngest child
UROLOGY
/
FEBRUARY
1980
/
DRESSING
VOLUME XV. NUMBER 2
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
Styrofoam cup secured in place.
Tip of glans seen through open end of cup.
tolerates the dressing well, and ambulation is permitted very early postoperatively. The dressing is easily removed at the appropriate time after the traction suture in the glans is cut. The dressing can be changed easily if necessary. This simple Styrofoam cup dressing is recommended for penile plastic operations. Augusta, Georgia 30912 (DR. WITHERINGTON)
173