Hydrocele:Cause and Treatment

What is a hydrocele?

A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in a sac in the scrotum next to the testicle. It usually occurs on one side of scrotum.

Hydrocele is usually painless and the only symptom is the swollen scrotum.

Having hydrocele does not affect fertility in the future.

Precaution

Seek medical treatment immediately if your child experiences sudden or severe pain in their scrotum as this is can be a sign of testicular torsion which can lead to blocked blood supply to testicle. You will need to send your child to hospital right away.

Differentiated from hernia

Hernia occurs when part of the small intestine protrudes through the groin due to a weak point in the abdominal wall.

Cause of hydrocele

Towards the end of pregnancy, male’s testicles (testes) move from abdomen to the scrotum. Sometimes the passage which allows this to happen does not close completely. This may then lead to a hydrocele developing. This is usually called the communicating hydrocele.

Non-communicating hydrocele occurs when sac closes, but the body does not absorb the fluid completely. The remaining fluid usually will be absorbed by the body within a year after birth.

Treatment and Cost of Treatment

Surgery to remove hydrocele is usually not recommended for children under two years’ old. This is because for most babies, hydrocele will usually go away on its own in about a year.

If your baby’s hydrocele does not go away on its own after 12 to 24 months or becomes very large, a surgery may be needed.

A small surgery called herniotomy to remove hydrocele is performed under anesthesia and baby may be able to go back home within a day of surgery.

Typically, a small cut is made in the abdomen or the scrotum. The fluid will be drained off and the passage between the abdomen and scrotum will be sealed off.

According to the Ministry of Health website, herniotomy will cost about $2000 without any subsidy and about $700 after subsidy.

After treatment

If your baby needs to undergo surgery to remove hydrocele, he may not return to normal activities for about a month. Activities like jumping, riding a bike, straddling and other strenuous activities should be avoided during this period. 

Check pediatrician in Singapore if you are looking for a pediatrician.