Scar acceptance after pediatric urologic surgery

Patients undergo pediatric urologic surgery as infants and young children.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the evolution of surgical scars over several years in order to inform parents and surgeons on the true cosmetic impact of pediatric surgery and evaluate patient scar satisfaction.

This was a cross-sectional study where patients who have undergone urologic surgery at a young age are evaluated years later for scar satisfaction via an abbreviated validated questionnaire. Scar length currently was measured and compared with immediate postoperative scar length to assess for growth.

Eighty-two children were evaluated with a median age (interquartile range) at the time of surgery and at the time of the study of 1 year (0.6-3 years) and 7 years (3-11 years), respectively. Pyeloplasty (48.8%), ureteral reimplantation/ureterocele reconstruction (41.5%) and other (9.8%) surgical techniques were included. No bother was reported in 84.0% of families. Surgical approach (robotic/laparoscopic vs. open) did not influence whether families reported very pleased/pleased versus neutral/somewhat bothered attitudes (p = 0.094). At time of surgery median scar length for all open surgical approaches (N = 65) was 4 cm (IQR 4-4.5 cm) and at time of the study scars were 6 cm (IQR 5-8 cm). For laparoscopic incisions, median length at time of surgery was 0.8 cm (IQR 0.8-1.1 cm) and at a mean follow up time of 2.3 years median scar length was 1.1 cm (IQR 1-1.5 cm). By race, Asian experienced the lowest percent change in scar length 0.3%, then Caucasian 0.8%, Latino 1.4% and self-described other ethnicity 2.0%.

As predicted, scars grow in length over time in either open or minimally surgical approaches. Depending on patient race, scar growth varied. Regardless, survey results did not vary based on surgical approach, type of surgery or race of survey taker Summary figure.

The majority of families are pleased with overall scar appearance after undergoing major pediatric urologic surgery. Scars tend to grow in length overtime with less growth noted in Asian children and flank incisions.