A hydrocele repair is a surgical procedure performed to remove a fluid-filled mass in the scrotum, called a hydrocele.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

A male who has a hydrocele but is in otherwise good health is a candidate for this procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

This operation is done in the hospital under general anesthesia, regional anesthesia or local anesthesia. General anesthesia means the person is put to sleep with medications. Regional anesthesia means the person will be awake, but numb below the waist. Local anesthesia involves injecting medications into an area of the body to numb it. First, a small cut is made in the scrotum. The fluid is drained from the hydrocele. Next, the testicle and the hydrocele sac are brought out of the scrotum. The hydrocele sac is sometimes removed completely. This technique reduces the size of the scrotum to a greater extent but the technique carries a higher risk of the formation of a blood clot, or hematoma. The alternative is to fold the sac behind the testicle. Following the surgery, the testicle is placed back into the scrotum and the skin is stitched shut. A drain is sometimes placed into the scrotum.