Hydrocele (Testicular hydropsy)

Hydrocele is a disease in which an excess amount of serous fluid accumulates in the membranes of the testicle, it leads to increasing of the scrotum.

The disease occurs quite often and is observed at any age. It occurs in newborns due to the presence of a channel, which communicates the abdominal cavity with the scrotum. Hydrocele in children is often combined with an inguinal hernia. The disease also occurs as a result of various injuries, inflammations. Also it may appear after surgery to remove an inguinal hernia or varicose veins of the testicle (varicocele).

The volume of fluid in the scrotum can reach 2 liters, which causes aesthetic and significant physical discomfort. Impaired testicular blood supply during illness leads to atrophy (loss of function) of the organ and can cause male infertility.

Symptoms of hydrocele

The disease is manifested by an increase in the corresponding half of the scrotum, a feeling of heaviness, sometimes pain or discomfort during walking.

Hydrocele diagnostics

Examination and common ultrasound allows to diagnose hydrocele.

Treatment of hydrocele

As a rule, treatment of hydrocele of the testicle membranes is performed by surgery. The operation is not a complicated one, however it requires caution and skill by the doctor. The choice of surgical intervention depends on the amount of fluid accumulated in the testicle membranes.

Operations are performed under local anesthesia. After it, the patient is observed in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Attention! In private clinics, patients can be discharged on the day of surgery. It is a dangerous practice, because after the operation, bleeding may occur or a hematoma may form. Removal of hydrocele by puncturing a liquid with a needle usually results in a relapse of the disease. In the Department of Urology at Sechenov University this obsolete method is not used.