Congenital Hydrocele or Hernia Repair

Q 1. What does the procedure involve?

A. This involves drainage of a fluid sac surrounding the testicle via an incision in the groin. Any communication between the fluid sac and the abdominal cavity will also be tied off.

Q 2. What are the alternatives to this procedure?

A. Observation (the fluid may resolve with time), removal of the fluid with a needle (although this usually results in recurrence)

Q 3. What should I expect before the procedure?

A. You will usually be admitted on the same day as your surgery. You will normally undergo pre assessment on the day of your clinic or an appointment for pre assessment will be made from clinic, to assess your general fitness and to perform some baseline investigations. After admission, you will be seen by members of the medical team which may include the consultant, junior urology doctors and nurse.

You will be asked not to eat or drink for six hours before surgery and, immediately before the operation, you may be given a pre-medication by the anaesthetist which will make you dry-mouthed and pleasantly sleepy.

Please be sure to inform your urologist in advance of your surgery if you have any of the following:

• Co-morbidities like Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary artery disease or, stroke, epilepsy
• Any transmissible disease like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C etc
• Presence of implants, pacemakers, graft etc
• You are taking prescription drugs like-
  • Blood thinners/ anti-platelets i.e. Warfarin, ecosprin, clopidogrel etc
  • Anti-epileptics like phenytoin, valproate etc

Q 4. What happens during the procedure?

A. Normally, a full general anaesthetic will be used and you will be asleep throughout the procedure. A small incision is made in the groin to locate the fluid filled hernia sac and to tie it off.

Q 5. What happens immediately after the procedure?

A. You may experience discomfort for a few days after the procedure but painkillers will be given to you to take home. Absorbable stitches are normally used which do not require removal.

Q 6. What is the duration of stay?

A. The average duration of stay is 24 to 36 hours.

Q 7. What are the side effects/complications?

A. Most procedures have a potential for side effects. You should be reassured that, although all these complications are well recognised, the majority of patients do not suffer any problems after a urological procedure.

Common (greater than one in 10)

• Swelling of the scrotum lasting several days
• Seepage of yellowish fluid from the wound several days after surgery

Occasional (between one in 10 and one in 50)

• Occasionally, a larger hernia may be found which needs to be formally repaired with stitches or a mesh graft
• Collection of blood around the testis requiring surgical treatment

Rare (less than one in 50)

• Infection of the incision or the testes requiring further treatment
• Recurrence of the fluid collection requiring further treatment

Q 8. What should I expect when I get home?

A. When you leave hospital, you will be given a discharge summary of your admission. This holds important information about your inpatient stay and your operation.

In young adults, a period of 10 to 14 days off work is advisable.

Q 9. What else should I look out for?

A. If you develop a temperature, increased redness, throbbing or drainage at the site of the operation, please contact your urologist.

Q 10. What are other important points?

A. A follow up outpatient appointment will normally be arranged six to eight weeks after the operation to assess the outcome.