A hydrocele is fluid that has built up in the membrane surrounding the testicles and the hydrocelectomy is the surgical procedure used to remove it. Although hydroceles are not normally very painful, they can continue to grow and visibly increase the size of the scrotum while eventually causing noticeable pain. Ultrasound examinations are performed to single out the condition from other testicular problems.

Hydroceles are more commonly seen in children shortly after birth but are left until the child is at least two years. If the condition has not righted itself by then, surgery may have to be performed. Hydroceles develop in adults usually due to blocked lymphatic flow, after infection, through injury, or from cancerous tumors. A needle is inserted into the scrotum to drain the hydrocele (aspiration) and if the hydrocele returns a hydrocelectomy will be required to remove it altogether.

Procedure information
After the procedure is explained by the physician or nurse, a temporary drain may be inserted into the scrotum to aspirate the hydrocele. This will prevent fluid build-up and lessen the chance of infection. If aspiration is successful, a hydrocelectomy may not be required.

A hydrocelectomy can be fairly quick if the hydrocele is uncomplicated, whereby an incision is made in the scrotum under general anesthetic and the hydrocele cut out. Surgery is deemed as complicated if other factors, such as hernias, are also present. In this case, an incision is made in the groin area and the hydrocelectomy will be performed along with the repair of the hernia.

Recovery time
The scrotum will generally remain swollen up for about a month after surgery although the patient can usually resume activities within 10 days or less, with the exception of heavy lifting and sexual activities which should be held off for at least six weeks.

Several weeks will pass before the patient will need to report back for a follow-up examination to have the incision checked and for signs of infection. If the scrotum remains swollen up for several months, infection may be present and one may need further surgery.