Your Child's Recovery
Hydrocelectomy is surgery to remove a hydrocele. A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac inside the scrotum. A hydrocele happens when there is an opening between the belly and the scrotum. This allows fluid to pass back and forth between the belly and the scrotum and causes the scrotum to fill with fluid. A hydrocele can happen on one or both sides of the scrotum. The doctor made a very small cut (incision) in your child's groin to drain the fluid inside the hydrocele and remove the fluid-filled sac inside the scrotum.
After surgery, there will no longer be an opening between your child's belly and the scrotum. This will stop fluid from building up in the scrotum.
Your child may act more tired than usual and have some mild groin pain for several days after surgery. Your child's groin and scrotum may be swollen or bruised. This usually gets better in 2 to 3 weeks.
Your child will probably be able to go back to school or daycare 4 to 7 days after surgery. But your child will need to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2 to 4 weeks.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to make sure your child gets better as quickly as possible.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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