A hydrocele is an accumulation of liquid in the scrotum of male babies that descends from the abdominal cavity. The infant’s scrotal sac appears large or swollen, but no further symptoms will occur. There are two categories of hydroceles: communicating hydrocele and non-communicating hydrocele.

The former has communication with the liquids of the abdominal cavity and is generated by the failure of a thin membrane (processus vaginalis) to close entirely during prenatal development. There is a possibility for both a hydrocele and a hernia to be generated if this membrane stays open. The latter, non-communicating hydrocele, might either be existent at birth or evolve years later. Usually, it will develop very slowly.

Procedure information
A non-communicating hydrocele does not require surgical repair as it usually disappears spontaneously within a period of 6 to 12 months. In contrast, a communicating hydrocele needs surgical repair to avoid further complications. The operation is performed within 1 hour as an outpatient procedure and the patient can leave the hospital the same day.

An anesthesiologist will give the child general anesthesia in order to put him/her to sleep. Then the surgeon will make a small incision in the skin crease of the groin, empty the liquid from the hydrocele sac and remove the sac. To prevent a recurrent hydrocele or hernia, the muscle wall will be strengthened with stitches.

Recovery time
Most children are able to go home a couple of hours after surgery and will feel fine again by the next morning. Normal eating habits and activities can be resumed as soon as possible. A sponge bath may be given the day after surgery, while tub baths are allowed 2 days after surgery. The steri-strips which are placed across the incisions will fall off on their own and should not be pulled off.