Q. What is a hydrocele?

A. Hydrocele is a medical condition seen in boys and men in which excess fluid starts to deposit in the scrotum, leading to scrotal swelling.

Q. Which doctor should I consult for a hydrocele?

A. Hydrocele can be best managed by a urologist or general surgeon.

Q. Can a hydrocele rupture?

A. The hydrocele may rupture in rare cases due to trauma or intrascrotal pressure and may lead to the decompression of the hydrocele.

Q. Can hydrocele be treated without treatment?

A. Yes, in the case of newborn babies, a hydrocele usually resolves on its without any treatment in the first year of life. However, if the hydrocele continues to enlarge and leads to symptoms like pain, swelling, and discomfort in the scrotum, it may need surgical repair.

Q. Are hydroceles painful?

A. Normally, a hydrocele is not painful. If you are experiencing pain, it is best to consult a sexologist as there may be an underlying condition like pus formation or infection that may be causing the pain.

Q. Can hydrocele lead to a hernia?

A. A hydrocele will form when the fluid starts collecting in the scrotum, which leads to its swelling. This swelling may be accompanied by a hernia.

Q. Is hydrocele cancerous?

A. No, a hydrocele is usually not cancerous and does not indicate any possibility of cancer in the future.

Q. What does a hydrocele look like?

A. A hydrocele may look and feel like a fluid-filled balloon that is present inside the scrotum. There may or may not be pain on both sides of the testicles if a person has a hydrocele.

Q. Can I exercise with a hydrocele?

A. Yes, if you are comfortable, you can exercise with a hydrocele. However, it is advisable that you get treated for hydrocele first and then go back to your regular exercise regime once you heal completely.

Q. How long will hydrocele surgery take?

A. A hydrocele surgery procedure generally takes less than half an hour to complete.

Q. Can hydrocele lead to erectile dysfunction?

A. No, a hydrocele usually does not lead to erectile dysfunction or infertility.

Q. How soon can I go back to work after hydrocele surgery?

A. Four to seven days rest is recommended after a hydrocelectomy. You can usually go back to work after that. However, strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for four weeks after surgery.

Q. What are the complications of an untreated hydrocele?

A. An untreated hydrocele may lead to the following complications: Infection Tumor Inguinal hernia

Q. What is the cost of hydrocele treatment in India?

A. The cost of hydrocele treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition present, the technique used for the treatment, and the overall health of the patient. On average, the cost of hydrocele treatment in India is between INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000.

Hydrocele Treatment

Hydrocele is usually not dangerous, but it may lead to pain due to reduced blood supply to the penis in some cases. This may require immediate treatment to avoid severe complications like testicular cancer.
Hydrocele is commonly seen in newborns and usually disappears without any treatment by the age of one. Older boys and adult men may develop a hydrocele due to an injury or inflammation of the scrotum.

Types:
The different types of hydroceles are:

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Symptoms:
The symptoms associated with a hydrocele are:

Feeling heaviness in the scrotum
Swelling in the scrotum
Usually painless

Physical examination: The doctor will check for tenderness in an enlarged scrotum. The doctor will apply pressure to the abdominal and scrotal areas to check for an inguinal hernia. Transillumination uses a light that shines through the scrotum and can help the doctor in showing the clear fluid that surrounds the testicle.
Blood tests: Complete blood count helps the doctor to check the various parameters of blood, as well as detect possible infections like epididymitis.
Urine tests: This test helps the doctor in evaluating the cause of hydrocele and check if there is any underlying infection.
Ultrasound: This is a type of imaging test performed to rule out complications such as tumors, hernias, or other possible causes of scrotal swelling.

Hydrocele in newborn baby boys usually disappears on their own without any treatment within the first six to twelve months of life. If the condition does not get treated on its own, the following different types of treatments can be performed:

1. Non-surgical treatment:
Aspiration and sclerotherapy: Aspiration is a minimally-invasive type of procedure involving the injection of a needle into the hydrocele to withdraw the fluid. Once the fluid is removed, the doctor will inject a sclerosing agent that uses a combination of sodium tetradecyl sulphate inside the sack around the testicle. This helps in the prevention of fluid build up.

This type of procedure is usually performed in men having a higher risk of complications during surgery. There is a slight possibility that the hydrocele may return after a few months, and another session of aspiration and sclerotherapy may be needed after that.

2. Surgical treatment:

Open hydrocelectomy: This procedure is generally done under general anesthesia, that is, the patient will be put to sleep during the procedure. An incision or cut is made by the surgeon in the scrotum or groin area to drain out the fluid via suction. The surgeon will then close the communication to the canal between the scrotum and abdominal cavity, before removing the hydrocele sac. The incision is then closed using sutures or surgical strips.
Laser hydrocelectomy: This form of hydrocele treatment is long-lasting and has a reduced risk of recurrence and a rapid rate of recovery with no blood clot formations or infection. A high-intensity laser beam is used in this procedure to drain the accumulated fluid. The doctor will then remove the sac to prevent the recurrence of the condition. This procedure takes less than half an hour to complete and the patient can usually go home six to twelve hours after the procedure.

The complications associated with untreated hydrocele are:

Infection
Tumor
Reduced sperm production or function
Inguinal hernia (due to the trapping of the loop of the intestine in the abdominal wall)
The complications associated with surgery performed to treat hydrocele include:
Bleeding
Infection
Blood clot formation
Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
Nerve damage
Scrotal injury
Breathing problems
Hydrocele recurrence

It is normal to have some pain after surgery. This pain usually goes away on its own in approximately one week.
The stitches at the site of the incision normally dissolve on their own.
Have regular follow-ups with your doctor to check for recurrence of the condition.
The results of hydrocelectomy may take approximately six to eight weeks to show up.

Home remedies:

Take plenty of rest after surgery.
Ice pack application after surgery can help in relieving swelling and discomfort.
A support strap for the scrotum can be worn to ease the discomfort.
The doctor may prescribe pain-relieving medications to relieve your discomfort.
Keep the incision area clean using sponge baths or showers to prevent infection.
Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least three weeks after surgery.

Cost of Hydrocele treatment in India-

The cost of hydrocele treatment in Mumbai is between INR 25,000 to INR 95,000.
The cost of hydrocele treatment in Delhi is between INR 22,000 to INR 92,000.
The cost of hydrocele treatment in Bangalore is between INR 22,000 to INR 92,000.
The cost of hydrocele treatment in Chennai is between INR 20,000 to INR 85,000.