Going For Surgery

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 About the Surgery

A hydrocoele is a fluid filled sac that surrounds a testicle (sometimes both), usually causing a painless swelling of the scrotum. Hydrocoeles are common (about 1 in 10 male infants has a hydrocoele at birth) but most hydrocoeles disappear without treatment by the first year of life. Men, usually older than 40, can also develop a hydrocoele due to inflammation or injury within the scrotum.

 Aim of Surgery

Hydrocoeles usually are not painful or harmful - hence most hydrocoeles require no treatment. However, if you have symptoms related to your hydrocoele, the preferred treatment is surgery.

Any scrotal swelling and lumps should also be cleared by your doctor to rule out other causes - in particular testicular cancer.

Although the fluid in a hydrocoele can be removed by withdrawing it through a syringe, the fluid usually re-accumulates and there is a risk of an infection with each procedure.

 How Long is Surgery

1 hour

 Anaesthetic

General Anaesthetic is the preferred method for this procedure.

(You are put to sleep for the whole operation and will feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure)

Local anaesthetic will be placed in the wound at the end of the procedure to minimize the discomfort after surgery.

 Incision/Cut

Scrotal incision

 Description of Surgery

After you are asleep, the surgeon will shave the scrotum. An incision is made over the scrotum and the hydrocoele brought out. The sac of the hydrocoele is opened and trimmed if necessary. The edges are then sutured to prevent bleeding and to minimize the risk of recurrence.

The testicle is placed back into the scrotum which is sutured with self-dissolving stitches.

 Complications of Surgery

Bleeding (small ooze)
Infection

 Duration of Hospital Stay

A small hydrocoele may be operated on as an outpatient basis where you will be able to go home the same day.

Larger hydrocoeles: you will usually