Hydrocele

Hydrocele

The testes, or testicles, are the two male reproductive glands that produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. They are located in the scrotum, which is a pouch located behind the penis. Hydroceles can occur on either side of the scrotum or, in rarer cases, on both sides.

Definition

Hydrocele is a collection of excessive fluid in the tunica vaginal sac.

Types

•               Vaginal Hydrocele occurs when hydrocele sac in patient only in the scrotum.

•               Infantile Hydrocele The sac from the scrotum in patient upto the deep ingunial rings

•               True congenital Hydrocele The scrotal sac communicates with peritoneal cavity.

•               Hydrocele of canal of Nuck: It presents as a smelling in the inguinal region in female.

Risk factors

Injury or inflammation of the scrotum

Causes

•               Excessive production of fluid within the sac

•               Defective absorption of fluid

•               Defective lymphatic drainage of scrotal structures as in case of elephantiasis

•               by connection with a hernia of the peritoneal cavity in the congenital variety, which presents as hydrocele of the cord

Symptoms

•               Soft, Cystic, Not reducible, Scrotal swelling

•               Scrotal pain

•               Redness of the scrotum

•               Heaviness

•               Fullness

•               Fluid accumulation with translumination

•               Dragging sensation

•               Fever

•               Chills

•               Nausea

•               Vomiting

Diagnosis

•               History.

•               Physical examination

•               Ultrasound.

•               Blood and urine tests to check for underlying infection.

Management

•               Lord/s Plication is indicated in small hydrocoeles. The sac is opened and the cut edge of the sac is plicated to tunica albuginea.

•               Partical excision and eversion of the sac: Jaboula’s operation

•               Aspiration-is a temporary method.

Nursing management

•               Teach about the hydrocele bandage

•               Teach coping techniques

Complications

•               Infection

•               Inguinal hernia.

•               Haematocoele

•               Pyocoele