Accumulation of fluid in scrotum is certainly not a normal condition. The medical term for this condition is called hydrocele. Hydroceles can appear on either side of the scrotum, but are more common on the left side. Initially, a hydrocele may not cause any pain or major discomfort, but you should not take it casually. Delaying the treatment for hydroceles can aggravate the problem and add up to worries.
Here are the common signs and symptoms related to hydrocele:
- Feeling a lump like formation in the scrotum
- The swelling of the scrotum that is painless
- The swelling subsides or disappears as you lay down
- Heaviness of the scrotum is especially high during the morning time
These symptoms of hydroceles can arise due to various reasons and you must reach out a specialist. You should also know about what causes hydrocele.So, read ahead to know about the causes of hydroceles in infants as wells as in adults.
Cause of Hydrocele in babies (Congenital Hydrocele)
Usually, during the last few months of the gestational period, the male baby’s testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. A sac of fluid surrounds each testicle. This sac then closes and the fluid is absorbed.
However, in the case of some boys, the sac closes, but the fluid is not absorbed completely. This fluid then causes scrotal swelling and is called a non-communicating hydrocele.
In some other cases, due to some abnormality, the lining between the abdomen and the scrotal sac does not close. The fluid then keeps on moving back and forth between the abdomen and the sac, and thus the size of hydrocele keeps on changing. This is called communicating hydrocele and is often associated with inguinal hernia.
Cause of fluid in scrotum in grown-ups (Non-Congenital/Adult Hydrocele)
In males who did not have hydrocele from birth, there can be different causes for the accumulation of fluid in the scrotum.
Any injury to the scrotal region can cause the lining between the scrotum and the abdomen to open again. The abdominal fluid can then flow into the scrotal sac and cause it to swell up, leading to hydrocele.
Also, inflammation in the testis or epididymis can also lead to an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum. Infections (sexually transmitted or others) can also cause fluid to collect in the scrotum.
Other potential causes of hydroceles:
- Tumor cells in the testes
- Blockage of the spermatic cord
- Improper inguinal hernia surgery
- Cancer of the kidney (It is the rarest cause of hydrocele)
Considering the seriousness of these causes, proper diagnosis and treatment are highly necessary to get rid of hydrocele in the safest way possible.
How to treat the condition of fluid accumulation in the scrotum?
You can try some home remedies, medications, exercises and yoga asanas to relieve the pain and swelling of hydrocele temporarily (especially at an early stage of minor swelling). However, these measures cannot completely cure the hydrocele.
The only permanent solution for fluid accumulation in the scrotum is the surgical procedure of hydrocelectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon drains out the fluid from the scrotum and then seals and reverses the hydrocele sac to prevent the recurrence of hydrocele.
The advanced laser hydrocelectomy for permanent relief from hydrocele
Earlier, hydrocelectomy used to be carried out through open surgery. The open surgery procedure is quite invasive, painful and has a significant risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications.
But nowadays, the advanced laser hydrocelectomy procedure is available. Laser hydrocelectomy does not carry out any major incisions or cuts on the body. The surgeon uses laser energy to drain the hydrocele and then removes or reverses the hydrocele sac to prevent fluid from accumulating in the sac again. The procedure is minimally invasive, 100% painless and takes only 30-45 minutes to complete.
Other unique benefits of laser hydrocelectomy
Laser hydrocelectomy is an outpatient surgery. This means that you do not need to stay in the hospital and can go home on the same day. It is a very safe procedure that does not involve any risk of complications or infections. The recovery is also quite speedy. You just need to follow a few precautions and you’ll recover completely in less than a week.
Owing to its numerous benefits, laser hydrocelectomy has become the most preferred treatment for hydrocele in Delhi and other major cities of India. A number of hospitals and surgeons offer laser treatment. To ensure a safe and successful treatment, it is important to choose an experienced surgeon and a good healthcare provider.
One such reliable and trustworthy healthcare provider offering the modern laser hydrocelectomy is Pristyn Care. They are associated with some of the best specialists and hospitals in the country and use USFDA approved techniques to carry out the treatment of hydrocele. You can consult one of their specialists near you, clear all your queries and then undergo the surgery in a Pristyn Care partnered hospital near your place.
What to expect after hydrocele surgery?
A little discomfort and mild scrotal pain is normal after hydrocele surgery. To alleviate this discomfort, try to keep your scrotum elevated.
Also, rest properly for 1-2 days after the surgery. Drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy and nutritious diet. Avoid heavy, oily and junk foods.
Wear scrotal support while doing your routine tasks and try to put minimal pressure on your scrotal region. Keep your dressings clean and dry and change them from time to time.
Maintain regular follow-ups with your doctor and follow his instructions completely. These measures will surely help you in a smooth and quick recovery.
The Bottom Note
Fluid accumulation in the scrotum and the subsequent swelling and pain can be quite troublesome. And if left untreated for a long time, the condition can worsen and give rise to a number of complications. Also, by now, you must have understood that hydrocele is absolutely curable. You just need to consult a specialist doctor in time and make a thoroughly thought out decision regarding the treatment options.