Hydrocele

A hydrocele is a swelling in the scrotum around the testicle. They are caused by fluid collecting in the sac around the testis.

What is a Hydrocele repair?

A Hydrocele Repair or PPV ligation is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. During the procedure, the surgeon stitches closed the canal inside the groin that has allowed fluid to collect around the testicle.

Discharge Home

You will be discharged home once your child has fully recovered from the general anaesthetic. They will need to eat, drink and pass urine before they are discharged.

Operation site

It is normal to experience some bruising and swelling around the wound. This will gradually improve over the following weeks.

However, if the wound becomes red, swollen or hot to the touch, or if it starts to ooze blood or pus, this may indicate an infection.

You may also notice that your child is more irritable than usual or has a fever. If so, please contact your GP or local accident and emergency department for further advice.

Pain Control

Pain medication such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen should be taken regularly for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. It is important not to wait until the wound becomes painful. Hospital staff will advise you on pain relief.

Please ensure you have Paracetamol (Calpol) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen) at home.

Infection

It is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry for the first few days to allow it to heal.

'Bugs' (bacteria) that cause infections thrive in warm, moist environments, so an operation site is the perfect place for them to grow.

Bathing

Please do not bath or shower your child for the first two days after their operation to reduce the chance of the wound becoming infected.

After two days it will be possible for them to have a bath or shower, however we do not recommend using bubble bath or oils in the bath water for the first week after the operation. These can irritate the sensitive wound site and cause discomfort. Please do not let your child soak in the bath for a long time for three weeks after surgery.

General care

The stitches around the wound are dissolvable. This means that they do not need to be removed, but they will take up to two to three weeks to fully dissolve.

It is therefore advisable to dress your child in loose-fitting clothing, such as tracksuit bottoms, rather than trousers made of harsher materials, such as denim. These materials may rub against the wound and stitches, causing irritation and discomfort. Nappies should also be kept loose to prevent rubbing.

Activity

Avoid playing on toys that need to be straddled (bicycles and rocking horses) for the first two weeks.

Swimming should be avoided for three weeks following surgery. Avoid PE and contact sports for three to four weeks. School-age children can return to school after a week.

IMPORTANT: After surgery, if your child develops a fever, swelling at the wound site, difficulty passing urine, or prolonged bleeding from the wound, please take them to your local accident and emergency department immediately.

Contact numbers

Pre-op: Ward T11 admin: 020 3447 1100 (08.00-16.00)

Pre and Post-op: Admission’s team admin: 07966 774 271 (08.00-1600)

Ward T11S: 020 3447 1103 or 07950 869 745

UCLH Switchboard: 020 3456 7890