Congenital hydrocele in boys
Congenital hydrocele is a build-up of watery fluid around the testicles. This painless ailment can cause the scrotum (pouch containing the testicles) to swell quite considerably.
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If the hydrocele continues after the young boy’s first birthday, the only possible treatment is surgery. A surgical procedure is also required if the hydrocele appears around the age of 2 or 3.
Congenital hydrocele surgery
The procedure takes about 30 minutes under general anaesthetic and requires a day at hospital. Stitches are either absorbable or otherwise removed after 7 days.
Post-surgery care
As for hernias, the patient can move around on the same day as the procedure, but should avoid physical exertion for 3 weeks. Bathing should also be avoided during the post-surgery period (at least 5 days).
Post-surgery results
Swelling disappears, although a slight difference between the sizes of the testicles can be seen for several weeks or several months (slight swelling of one or the other). The area will return to its usual size and condition in 2 to 3 months.
General surgery info…
Parents may worry about the fact that these operations are often carried out under general anaesthetic. Medical staff will explain anaesthesia-related mortality risks during the pre-surgery consultation a few days before the operation and you will be told how extremely rare these risks are (less than 1 in every 100,000).
For any surgery, the child must not have eaten during the 6 hours before the operation and you need to be available to continue his or her post-surgery treatment. You will also need to be aware of any post-surgery symptoms that would warrant an immediate return to the emergency ward.
Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo
Posted 07.04.2011
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