What is a hydrocele?
A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the scrotum, the sac
that holds the testicle. Your child's scrotum may look larger on one side or
may appear very swollen. This is caused by a build-up of fluid. This build-up
of fluid occurs fairly frequently in male newborns. Usually the fluid will be
absorbed by the body during the first year of life.
Sometimes the hydrocele is connected by an open channel to the
belly. This open channel allows fluid to continue to flow into the scrotum.
This type of hydrocele needs to be fixed with an operation. If your baby is
older than 1 year and still has a large hydrocele, or if your doctor has told
you that your baby has a communicating hydrocele or an inguinal hernia, your
baby will need an operation.
What happens during the
surgery?
The surgery to fix a hydrocele is a minor procedure that is
done in day surgery and takes about 1 and 1/2 hours. Your child will not need
to stay overnight at the hospital. Your child will be given general anesthesia
and will be asleep for the procedure. A small cut is made in your baby's groin
area and the doctor closes the open channel.
Your doctor may want to look at the other scrotal channel to
see if it has closed properly. This can usually be done with a laparoscope, a
telescopelike instrument. Your doctor will discuss this with you before the
operation. Once your child is awake and able to drink fluids, he can go home.
How can I take care of my
child?
- Care of Incision
After surgery, your child will have a small incision in the
groin on the side(s) operated on. The incision was closed under the skin
using stitches that dissolve on their own and don't need to be removed. On
the skin there are strips of tape or skin glue to help the skin heal
smoothly with minimal scarring. These will peel off in 5 to 10 days. Don't
pull them off.
There may be bruising in the groin around the incision and
bruising and swelling in the scrotum. This is normal and will go away in 1
to 2 weeks. The incision does not require any special care. You may want to
avoid clothing that fits snugly over this area. You can use a small gauze
bandage to protect the incision from being irritated by clothes if that is
more comfortable.
- Pain Control
Your child may need medicine the first few days after
surgery for pain control.
- Activity
Children will limit their activity if they are
uncomfortable. Your child may resume his normal activities whenever he feels
ready. School-age children may miss 3 to 4 days of school. Your child should
not ride on straddle toys or bicycles for a week. Rough play should also be
avoided for several days.
- Bathing
Your child may bathe after 48 hours. Baths help the area
heal and make the sore area feel better.
- Diet
Your child may eat what he wants. Encourage your child to
drink fluids.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child has pain that is not controlled by pain
medicines.
- Your child has a fever greater than 101°F (38.3°C).
- Your child has any bleeding from the wound not stopped by
5 minutes of direct pressure.
- Your child has pus draining from the wound or a large red
area around the wound.
- Your child has not urinated in a 12-hour period.
