Hydrocele Treatment
in Birmingham
Are you noticing an unusual swelling or lump in your infant's testes? Is it bothersome for you and your child? Are you noticing changes in size? Don’t worry! It might just be a hydrocele.
Although hydrocele is not a major health issue, it is highly uncomfortable. Good thing, it’s treatable. Book your appointments and enjoy our expert services to get rid of your hydrocele, now!
We aim to provide maximum guidance and high-quality treatment with our expert clinicians. We prioritize your health and choose to help you put your mind at rest. Our healthcare will guide you through all the necessary checkups, management plans, and aftercare. We make sure you are satisfied with one-to-one interaction between patient and doctor.
Understanding the hydrocele
A hydrocele is an accumulation of serous fluid around testicles in a sac within the scrotum. It presents as a painless swelling in the scrotum i.e. the sac that carries testicles.
In fact, hydrocele is a fairly widespread condition. 10% of newborn males have this condition, more commonly in premature-borne boys. 1% of adult men can have it. Men over the age of 40 commonly present with it.
Hydrocele feels like a small fluid-filled balloon within the scrotum, which might occur in one or both testicles. It is smooth and mainly in front of the testes. Being painless, the swelling may or may not increase in size. Other than this, hydrocele is also non-tender.
A hydrocele can enlarge and cause discomfort in walking, or also affect sexual activity. It may also be an early indication of some serious disease, so it is important to consult a doctor as soon as you notice unusual swelling or experience any pain. Hydrocele can mimic other abnormalities. Best to get it checked earliest.
Types of hydrocele
Causes Of hydrocele
Normally testes are surrounded by a protective sac that you cannot normally feel. A small amount of fluid produced in it allows it to move freely. Excess fluid is drained by veins around it. An imbalance between the production and drainage of this fluid can lead to hydrocele.
Communicating hydrocele is due to failure of processus vaginalis to close (a tract made of thin membrane extending through the inguinal canal and into the testes). Non-communicating hydrocele is due to no obvious reason.
Some hydroceles can be due to infection, injury, or tumour. Sometimes they develop when there is generalized swelling of the lower half of the body due to fluid retention.
In fact, there is nothing one can do to prevent hydrocele, especially in newborns. Adolescents and adults can avoid it by keeping away from any injury to the scrotum or testes. If a sport can injure you, best is to use an athletic cup.
All you need to know about Hydrocele Treatment
You may have other questions regarding the treatment that may not have been answered yet. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Yes. Hydroceles are not a major health issue.
No, Hydrocele is not associated with infertility or erectile dysfunction.
The prognosis of hydrocele is generally positive and surgery has a high success rate.
If you notice a lump in the scrotum or above it, the swelling is painful, there is an association with nausea or loss of appetite, there is an association with vomiting.
No. So far hydrocele can only be treated by surgical means.
You can go home the same day.
Yes, although it is less commonly seen.
• Rest if you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Gradually increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent constipation.
• You may shower 24 hours after surgery if your doctor says it is okay. Pat the incision dry.
• You may return to work/ school when you are ready. This is usually in about 4 to 7 days.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weightlifting, or aerobics, until your doctor allows
• For a few weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This includes heavy grocery bags and heavy containers, a heavy briefcase, or a child.
You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, boiled chicken, bread, and yogurt. Drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Make sure you properly plan your appointment with your doctor. Explain your symptoms clearly, make a list of questions in your mind that you want to get answered. Make sure you are satisfied and aware of the illness, diagnosis, and treatment.
Diagnosis and treatments for hydrocele
Our urologists perform a physical exam consisting of checking for tenderness, a simple test called transillumination, in which a light is shone through the testicle, if light passes through and appears bright - it is positive. If the light doesn't pass through or appears dark- it is negative.
Ultrasound confirms the diagnosis. If it is large and a doctor cannot feel your testicle. Fluid may be drained by a needle and syringe, but before that, local anaesthesia is used to make the procedure painless. Apart from this, a blood test helps rule out any other worrisome underlying cause. Some hydroceles resolve spontaneously in six to twelve months. Some are drained with the help of a needle and syringe, but it is common for the sac to refill.
For persistent hydroceles or large and uncomfortable hydroceles, we offer a surgery called hydrocelectomy performed under general anaesthesia. The duration of surgery is 30 mins and involves a small incision in the scrotum or abdominal wall to drain fluid. The passage between testis and abdomen is sealed off so that a hydrocele does not occur in the future. For pain, painkillers are prescribed.
Besides, sclerotherapy is an injection of a solution to stop hydrocele from recurring after it is drained. This is not commonly done. Offered to people not suitable for surgery.
Complications of surgery
The most common complications following surgery for draining hydroceles are pain, persistent scrotal swelling, haematoma formation, wound infection, and injury to epididymis and testes.
Post-operation medicines and aftercare
After the surgery, it is important to keep the area dry and clean. You will be guided on how to do it. This will be followed by a follow-up visit to make sure it is healing properly. In fact, you need to be aware that the hydrocele may occur again in the future, although it is less common.
Take pain medicines as directed by the physician. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine or ask him to prescribe you one. Take your medicine after meals (unless the doctor has told you not to).
Ask your doctor to tell you when you can restart your medicines. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics with proper compliance.
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