What is hydrocele (water hernia)?
Hydrocele is the accumulation of water in the bags called scrotum in boys.
Sometimes the swelling in the egg sac may increase and decrease during the day. In this case, there is a hydrocele connected to the abdominal cavity, that is, an associated or communicating hydrocele. In some children, swelling is present at all times of the day and always remains the same size. This condition is called disconnected or non-communicating hydrocele.
How does hydrocele (water hernia) occur?
In boys, testicles form in the abdomen at the beginning of pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, the abdominal membrane called peritoneum pockets into the inguinal canal and a tunnel is formed that extends down to the scrotum. Towards the end of pregnancy, the testicles descend into the bag through this tunnel formed in the inguinal canal. This tunnel normally closes after the testicle descends into the scrotum. However, in some children, this tunnel does not close and an open tunnel remains in the inguinal canal. It occurs as a result of the fluid in the abdomen descending into the bag through this open tunnel and accumulating there.
What are the symptoms? How is the diagnosis made?
The information given by the mother and father is important in the diagnosis of hydrocele. It is noticed as swelling in the bags containing the testicle. Diagnosis can be made through examination and in suspicious cases, ultrasound.
When and how can hydrocele be treated in children?
Since hydrocele can resolve spontaneously over time in children, it is usually followed up until the age of 1.5-2. is done. However, if there is a hydrocele that is very large (giant) and seriously compresses the canal, if its size gradually increases, or if it does not improve until the age of 1.5-2, it is necessary to remove the hydrocele with surgery. Normally, it is not a difficult surgery, but the hydrocele sac is attached to the testicular vessels and sperm duct like armor. For this reason, these structures, which are vitally important for the testicle, may rupture as a result of inexperience or carelessness. Then the testicle may die or sperm may not come out.
After hydrocele surgery, surgery-related edema, swelling and bruises in the bags we call scrotum may continue for a while. However, children can often return to their normal daily lives easily and quickly.
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