Epididymectomy

What is Epididymectomy

Epididymectomy is a surgery to remove the epididymis. The epididymis is a tiny, tightly coiled tube that stores sperm. You have two of these tubes, one over each of your testicles.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Blood collection inside the sac that holds your testicles (scrotum).
• Infection.
• Shrinking of your testicle.
• Formation of a blood clot in one of your blood vessels.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
  • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.Medicine will flow through the IV tube and directly into your body during the procedure.
• You may be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• You will be given medicine to make you fall sleep (general anesthetic).
• A cut (incision) will be made in your scrotum.
• Your testicle and epididymis will be pulled through the incision.
• The epididymis will be separated from your testicle and removed.
• Your testicle will be put back into your scrotum.
• The incision will be closed with stitches (sutures).
• A small drain may be placed in the incision. The drain allows extra blood or fluid to flow out of your scrotum after the procedure.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• If you received a drain, you may need to stay in the hospital for a night until the drain is removed.
• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Care After Epididymectomy

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is common to have pain and swelling in the area where the surgical cut (incision) was made.

Follow these instructions at home:

Bathing

• You may shower 24 hours after your procedure.
• Do nottake baths or go swimming until your health care provider says it is okay.
• When you shower, rinse your scrotum gently, and pat it dry. Do notscrub your scrotum.

Incision care

• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Leave stitches (sutures) in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the surgical area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Activity

• Limit your physical activity.
• Do notparticipate in any sports for about 2 weeks.
• Do notlift anything heavy for about 2 weeks. Ask your health care provider what your lifting limit is.
• Do nothave sex until your health care provider says it is okay.

General instructions

• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you received a medicine to help you relax (sedative).

Contact a health care provider if:

• You continue to have increased swelling or bruising after 3 days.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.

Get help right away if:

• You have burning or bleeding when you urinate.
• You cannot urinate.
• You have chills.
• You have a fever.