Dropsy of the testicular membranes (hydrocele) - is a disease characterized by the accumulation of clear fluid around the testicle. About one out of ten boys at birth has dropsy, which tends to spontaneously disappear during the first year of life.
Causes of hydrocele
The cause of hydrocele can be trauma or infectious diseases. In all these cases, an imbalance arises between the secretion and readsorption of the liquid placed between the two layers of a kind of sac that completely covers the testicle. Also the causes of hydrocele include:
- inflammatory diseases of the testicles and their appendages;
- tumor processes of the scrotum;
- heart failure;
- complication after surgery for inguinal hernia.
Dropsy usually appears in men over forty. Often it does not hurt at all and does not cause any problems; does not interfere to sexual function. Nevertheless, timely access to a doctor is very important, especially when the testicles began to swell abnormally. Dropsy can be the result of testicular cancer or a serious infection- tuberculosis syphilis, epididymitis etc. All these diseases are very dangerous, and it is necessary to determine the correct diagnosis as early as possible. A simple ultrasound of the scrotum will help diagnose any complications of hydrocelе.
Hydrocele Treatment
Dropsy is often associated with inguinal hernia due to weakness in the abdominal wall. If hydrocele is not absorbed after 12-18 months after birth, then surgery is needed. The need for surgical intervention is determined by specialist. We need to understand that conservative treatment of hydrocele does not happen.
The operation can be done under local anesthesia, spinal or general. There are several surgical methods that are used depending on the age of the patient, the characteristics of the hydrocele and the presence of complications. These are relatively simple methods that do not require, as a rule, a lot of time. The surgeon makes a small incision, which allows you to remove excess fluid.
After surgery, the patient may experience swelling of the testicle for several months. This is considered normal and should not be a concern. If after the operation, the incision area has turned red and the temperature has risen, then in this case emergency medical care is needed. In the postoperative period, a man should wear suspension- special dressing for the scrotum and avoid physical exertion. Sexual relationships will also have to be postponed for at least a month to give the body a chance to recover.
