Please attend to any pathology or radiology tests if these were requested at your initial appointment.
Take your normal medications unless told otherwise by Dr Murray or the anaesthetist. Most blood thinners (with the exception of Aspirin) will need a period of cessation before and after the procedure, please ensure you inform Dr Murray if you are taking blood thinners.
The procedure requires a general or spinal anaesthetic therefore you will need to fast for six hours prior. Please ensure someone has been arranged to drive you home from hospital.
Please purchase at least two briefs style underpants, one size smaller than you normally wear prior to the procedure. These will help provide support to the scrotum and help reduce post-operative swelling.
After administration of a general anaesthetic, and a preventative antibiotic, an incision is made in the mid-line of the scrotum. The hydrocele and testicle are delivered to the outside of the scrotum. The parietal layer of the tunica vaginalis is then excised and the loose edges sutured together behind the testicle.
Any bleeding is brought under control and local anaesthetic is injected. The scrotal wall is then sutured closed with absorbable sutures and a dressing applied.
A period of time is required in the recovery room while the anaesthetic wears off. It is necessary to ensure you are comfortable and any nausea is treated. You will return to the day surgery area 30 to 60 minutes after the procedure.
Expect to feel some discomfort in the scrotum. You may have a small amount of blood on the dressing. You will be reviewed by Dr Murray prior to leaving the hospital and given a follow up appointment approximately six to eight weeks after your procedure.
When you arrive home put on the two pairs of supportive underpants purchased beforehand. Use an ice pack on the scrotum for the first 24 hours as this to will reduce swelling.
You should take regular Paracetamol AND Ibuprofen for the first 48 hours. A script will be provided for stronger pain relief if you require it.
It is recommended you rest and avoid any vigorous activity for the first three days after the procedure. You can return to driving when you feel comfortable and confident in operating the vehicle.
It is normal to have significant swelling in the scrotum following an excision of hydrocele. The space that was occupied by the hydrocele fills with healing fluid and blood following the surgery. The body will reabsorb this fluid in time but it may take several months.
There are some important risks and complications of excision of hydrocele you should be aware of; these include but are not limited to:
1. Excessive bleeding and formation of haematoma (approx. 1% risk)
2. Wound infection (approx. 1-2% risk)
3. Scrotal swelling and tenderness are to be expected and may take weeks or months to resolve
4. Recurrence of hydrocele (approx. 1%)
5. Loss of testicle (rare, less than 1% risk)
