What is it?
A hydrocelectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a hydrocele – a fluid-filled sac that develops around the testicle. Hydroceles are usually harmless but can cause swelling, discomfort, or embarrassment. Surgery is the most effective way to treat them when they do not resolve on their own.
Key Symptoms of a Hydrocele:
- Swelling in the scrotum (usually painless)
- Feeling of heaviness or fullness
- Sometimes discomfort, especially with larger hydroceles
- Rarely, hydroceles may be associated with underlying testicular conditions
Causes & Risk Factors:
- In adults: often due to imbalance in fluid production/absorption around the testicle, sometimes linked to injury, infection, or inflammation
- In infants: usually caused by incomplete closure of the channel between the abdomen and scrotum during development
- More common in older men and newborn boys
Diagnosis:
- Physical examination
- Scrotal ultrasound (to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of swelling such as hernia or tumour)
Treatment Options:
- Observation: Small, symptom-free hydroceles may not need treatment.
- Aspiration (fluid drainage): Sometimes used, but fluid often re-accumulates.
- Hydrocelectomy (surgery): The definitive treatment. Involves a small incision in the scrotum or groin to drain and remove the sac, preventing recurrence.
The Procedure:
- Usually performed as a day case under general or regional anaesthesia
- Takes about 30–60 minutes
- Patients can typically go home the same day
- Recovery: mild swelling or bruising for 1–2 weeks; normal activity resumed after a short rest period
Risks & Considerations:
- Pain, swelling, or bruising (usually temporary)
- Infection or bleeding (rare)
- Recurrence of hydrocele (uncommon after surgery)
- Very rarely, injury to surrounding structures
Why seek help?
Hydrocelectomy is a safe and effective treatment for hydroceles that cause discomfort, are large, or do not resolve. Men experiencing scrotal swelling should always seek medical assessment to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious conditions.