Life Healthcare is a leading private hospital operator in South Africa and primarily serves the market for privately insured individuals, representing approximately eight million people. The group provides mainly acute care, high technology private hospital services.
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital is a large Provincial government funded hospital situated in central Mthatha in South Africa. It is a tertiary teaching hospital and forms part of the Mthatha Hospital Complex.
The extensive hospital network includes 64 hospitals (of which 57 are majority owned by Life Healthcare and another seven in which the group holds substantial minority ownership), providing a range of healthcare services throughout South Africa.
What is Hydrocele Treatment?
Hydrocele treatment refers to the surgical treatment of a hydrocele, also known as hydrocelectomy. Hydrocelectomy is done to repair the swelling of the scrotum which is due to the accumulation of fluid in the testicle, known as a hydrocele.
This fluid may also be removed with the help of a needle and this procedure is known as aspiration. However, hydrocele keeps recurring until it is treated with surgery.
How is the Hydrocelectomy Performed?
Hydrocelectomy may be performed on an adult or an infant/child.
In an adult:
An incision is made into the scrotum.
The canal linking the scrotum to the abdominal cavity is repaired.
The hydrocele sac is taken out and the fluid is also removed.
The incision is closed with sutures.
In the presence of complications, for example an inguinal hernia:
An incision is made in the groin area.
The hernia is repaired and the hydrocele is removed.
The incision is closed with sutures
In an infant or child:
An incision is made into the groin.
The hydrocele sac is taken out and the fluid is also removed.
Hernia repair is done with stitches.
The incision is closed with sutures.
How to Prepare for Hydrocelectomy?
The doctor should be informed if the patient has any ailments, allergies or medical conditions.
The doctor should be informed about any medication that the patient is taking with or without a prescription. These may include supplements or herbs or drugs.
Certain medication that the patient is taking may be stopped two weeks before the surgery.
An anesthesiologist will interview the patient to determine the type of anesthesia that the patient will require.
The patient is physically examined, and some blood and urine tests will be conducted.
About Hydrocele Treatment
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Duration of surgery/treatment
Approximately 1 hour.
Days admitted
Hydrocele treatment is usually done as an outpatient procedure.
Anesthesia
General or spinal anesthesia.
Recovery
- The patient is taken to a recovery room and monitored.
- Follow-up visits for many weeks are scheduled by the doctor before the patient is discharged.
- Recovery is usually quick after hydrocelectomy.
- Children who have undergone the surgery should rest for a few days.
- Swelling may persist for several months after the surgery.
- Normal activities can be resumed in 4 to 7 days.
Risks
Risks of anesthesia include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Allergic reaction to medication
Risks of any surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Infection
Risks of hydrocelectomy include:
- Injury to spermatic vessels
- Pain in the scrotal region
- Recurrence of the hydrocele
After care
The doctor should be contacted if the following symptoms of infection are detected:
- Swelling that is prolonged
- Fever
- Redness
Hospital Group
Hospital Group
Private Hospital
Private Hospital