Silvia Azaña, an embryologist at inviTRA, explains how hydrocele is treated in this video:
Normally, the hydrocele is not considered dangerous, and is only treated when it causes significant discomfort or when the testicles become so enlarged that they compromises normal blood flow.
Generally, a simple hydrocele disappears without the need for treatment. However, there are cases where the hydrocele needs to be addressed. The two procedures that are currently used to eliminate a hydrocele are the hydrocelectomy and the scrotal aspiration.
Hydrocelectomy is considered a low complexity outpatient surgery that produces excellent results. The only issue is that it requires the use of either general or epidural anesthesia. In broad terms, a hydrocelectomy typically involves making a small incision either in the scrotum or in the lower abdomen. Through this incision, the excess fluid is removed and part of the tissue is eliminated to prevent it from filling up with fluid again. The complications that may arise from operating on a hydrocele using the hydrocelectomy technique are as follows: blood clots, infection and injury to the scrotal tissue or structures.
The duration of a hydrocelectomy is usually around 30 minutes, and after the surgical procedure, the patient can return home the same day as the surgical procedure. Once at home, the patient can apply ice to the affected area to help reduce swelling and take painkillers if these are advised by the specialist.
The other treatment option for a hydrocele is to remove the fluid from the scrotum with a needle, known as scrotal aspiration. This aspiration is frequently associated with a sclerotherapy treatment that consists of injecting medications that cause hardening or thickening to effectively close the opening. The benefit of using this technique is that it helps prevent the subsequent accumulation of fluid. The risks associated with scrotal aspiration and sclerotherapy are as follows: fibrosis, infection, mild to moderate pain in the scrotal area and recurrence of the hydrocele.
Ultimately, due to the high risk of infection and the high likelihood of the hydrocele reappearing, surgery is generally preferred. Aspiration can be considered a good treatment option for patients who present certain surgical risks. Additionally, hydroceles that appear with an inguinal hernia should be surgically repaired as soon as possible, and a hernioplasty should be performed.
