SURGERY FOR HYDROCELE REPAIR
Surgical procedure recommended for the correction of hydrocele.
This involves the opening of the scrotum and removal of fluid which has accumulated around the testicle.
Indications
Surgery is recommended only when the hydrocele creates discomfort in everyday life due to its increased size.
With hydrocele in baby boys, observation is recommended since it usually disappears on its own during the first year after birth.
Preparation
On admission to the hospital a pre-operative assessment is carried out which includes:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac assessment
In the event that a patient is on anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication it is necessary to stop taking this or to substitute it with an alternative, a few days prior to the surgical procedure.
How the hydrocele repair is performed
The procedure can be performed under general or epidural anesthesia.
A small incision is made into the area of the scrotum with the hydrocele and the sac containing the fluid is prepared.
Following this, the sac is opened, the fluid is drained and the testicular tunica vaginalis inverted.
Finally the testicle is placed in the scrotum and the incision is sutured.
The patient remains in hospital for 1-2 days on average.
After the procedure
At discharge you will receive instructions regarding:
- Antibiotic medication which you need to take
- Caring for the surgical wound
- For how long you should avoid strenuous physical activity
- Resuming any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication you may have been taking prior to the procedure
For the wound to heal will normally take two weeks.
The patient should be able to return to work 2-3 days after the procedure.