Symptoms
- Painless scrotal swelling, usually one side
- Feeling of heaviness
- Swelling that increases through the day
- Discomfort when large
Causes and risk factors
- Imbalance between fluid production and absorption
- Persistent connection with the abdomen in infants
- Following infection, injury or filariasis
Diagnosis
- Clinical examination with transillumination
- Scrotal ultrasound to confirm and exclude a testicular lump
Treatment
- Observation for small, symptom-free hydroceles
- Infant hydroceles often resolve by one year
- Hydrocelectomy — Jaboulay or Lord's procedure
- Treatment of any underlying infection
Prevention
- Prompt treatment of scrotal infection and injury
- Filariasis prevention in endemic regions
Recovery
Day-care surgery. Scrotal support and rest for a few days; desk work in three to five days, and no heavy lifting for two weeks.
Information on this website is for patient education only and does not replace an in-person consultation. Treatment results vary between individuals and no outcome is guaranteed.