Hydrocele Repair – Indications, Procedure, Risk

Hydrocelectomy

Hydrocele repair is surgery to correct the swelling? of the scrotum that occurs when you have a hydrocele. A hydrocele is the backup of fluid around a testicle.

Baby boys sometimes have a hydrocele at birth. Hydroceles also occur in older boys and men. Sometimes they form when there is also a hernia (an abnormal bulging of tissue) present. Hydroceles are fairly common.

Description

Surgery to repair a hydrocele is often done at an outpatient? clinic. General anesthesia is used so you will be asleep and pain?-free during the procedure.

In a baby or child:

• The surgeon makes a small surgical cut in the fold of the groin?, and then drains the fluid. The sac (hydrocele) holding the fluid may be removed. The surgeon strengthens the muscle wall with stitches. This is called a hernia repair.
• Sometimes the surgeon uses a laparoscope to do this procedure. A laparoscope is a tiny camera that the surgeon inserts into the area through a small surgical cut. The camera is attached to a video monitor. The surgeon makes the repair with small instruments that are inserted through other small surgical cuts.

In adults, the cut is most often made on the scrotum. The surgeon then drains the fluid after removing part of the hydrocele sac.

Needle drainage of the fluid is not done very often because the problem will always come back.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Hydroceles often go away on their own in children, but not in adults. Most hydroceles in infants will go away by the time they are 2 years old.

Your surgeon may recommend hydrocele repair if the hydrocele:

• Becomes too large
• Causes problems with blood flow
• Is infected
• Is painful or uncomfortable

It may also be done if there is a hernia .

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection?
• Blood clots

Before the Procedure

Always tell your health care provider what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription?. Also, tell your doctor if you have any drug allergies or if you have had bleeding problems in the past.

Several days before surgery, adults may be asked to stop taking aspirin or other drugs that affect blood clotting. These include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), some herbal supplements, and others.

You or your child may be asked to stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the procedure.

Take the medicines you have been told to take with a small sip of water.

After the Procedure

Recovery is quick in most cases. Most people can go home a few hours after surgery. Children should limit activity and get extra rest in the first few days after surgery. In most cases, normal activity can start again in about 4 to 7 days.

Outlook (Prognosis?)

The success rate for hydrocele repair is very high. The long-term outlook is excellent. However, another hydrocele may form over time, or if there was also a hernia present.