What is Hydrocelectomy

Hydrocelectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a collection of fluid (hydrocele) from the pouch that holds the testicles (scrotum). You may need to have a hydrocelectomy if a hydrocele is making your scrotum swell painfully.

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:

• Bleeding into the scrotum (scrotal hematoma).
• Damage to the testicle or the tube that carries sperm out of the testicle (vas deferens).
• Infection.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.

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.

Medicines

• 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 not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

General instructions

• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • A germ-killing solution (antiseptic) will be used to wash your scrotum and the area around it. Hair may be removed from this area.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to make you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• A small incision will be made through the skin of your scrotum.
• Your testicle and the hydrocele will be located, and the hydrocele sac will be opened with an incision.
• The fluid will be drained from the hydrocele.
• The hydrocele will be closed with absorbable stitches (sutures) to prevent fluid from building up again.
• If you have a large hydrocele, a thin rubber drain may be placed to allow fluid to drain after the procedure.
• The incision in your scrotum will be closed with absorbable sutures.
• A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incision.

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.
• You will be given pain medicine as needed.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
• You may have to wear an athletic support strap to hold the dressing in place and support your scrotum.

Hydrocelectomy, Adult, Care After

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 mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the pouch that holds your testicles (scrotum).

Follow these instructions at home:

Bathing

• Ask your health care provider when you can shower, take baths, or go swimming.
• If you were told to wear an athletic support strap, take it off when you shower or take a bath.

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures) in place.
• Check your incision and scrotum every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Blood or fluid.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the injured 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 per day.

Driving

• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive.

Activity

• Do not do any activities that require great strength and energy (are vigorous) for as long as told by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care provider says that it is safe.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
• If you were given an athletic support strap, wear it as told by your health care provider.
• If you had a drain put in during the procedure, you will need to return for a follow-up visit to have it removed.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain is not controlled with medicine.
• You have more redness or swelling around your scrotum.
• You have blood or fluid coming from your scrotum.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your scrotum.
• You have a fever.