Hydrocele

**Astrolady** · April 5th, 2006, 03:47 PM

When Lachlan was around 1 year of age he developed a Hydrocele

What is a hydrocele?

A hydrocele is a collection of watery fluid around the testicle. This is a common problem in newborn males and usually goes away within the first year of life. When the testicle drops into the scrotum (about the eighth month of pregnancy), a sac (the processus vaginalis) from the abdominal cavity travels along with the testicle. Fluid can then flow to the scrotum to surround the testicle. This sac usually closes and the fluid is absorbed. When the sac closes and the fluid remains, this is called a noncommunicating hydrocele. This means that the scrotal sac can be compressed and the fluid will not flow back into the abdomen. This type of hydrocele is often found in newborns and the fluid will usually be absorbed with time. If the scrotal sac is compressed and the fluid slowly goes back up into the abdomen or if the hydrocele changes size, this is called a communicating hydrocele. This type of hydrocele usually appears smaller in the morning when the child wakes up and larger in the evening after activity. A communicating hydrocele shows that the sac or processus vaginalis is still open.

We took him to the Womens & Children's hospital and was basically told if it hadn't gone down by the time he turned 18mths to come back as he would need surgery. Only weeks later the sac reduced in size and appeared normal looking and we never thought anything more about it.

About a month and a half ago I discovered his sac swelling again and let it go for a couple of weeks thinking "it may just go away like last time" but deep down I knew better after two weeks and his sac getting larger slowly I took him to the GP who gave us a referral to a paediatric specialist at our local hospital. Between seeing our GP and seeing the specialist it was another month, and about a week before the specialist appointment Lachlan's sac was appearing normal again.

The specialist took 1 quick 1 min look squeezed it and said he would need surgery, so we are now booked in for him to have surgery on May 19th. There is a 1 in 200 chance that his sperm tract might get damaged in the process, but we will cross that bridge if we come to it.

Apparently it is only a 10 min procedure, but he will need to undergo full anesthetic for it. So may not see him for a while depening on how long he takes to wake up.

So yeah that is his little medical issue.

love

**visitor2** · April 5th, 2006, 04:05 PM

Poor Lachlan hope everything goes well for him on the 19th May and he has no more problems.

Tigergirl1980 · April 5th, 2006, 06:35 PM

Awwwwwwwww poor little guy

Good luck for May 19, although I'm sure it's not needed

**iris** · April 12th, 2006, 09:09 AM

Poor Fella! Hope all goes well with the op!

***Princess Kylie*** · April 12th, 2006, 08:23 PM

Kathryn, on my paeds ward we get little boys in all the time having a hydrocele repair.

You're exactly right, it's a small operation, you'll go home the same day, but they do need the general anaesthetic to be on the safe side - could you imagine trying to hold a little person still while they play around inside his scrotum!!

I know you'll be worried, but speaking from the other side, it's a small procedure and things will be right again in no time.

Fingers crossed for you, but i'm sure it will all go brilliantly.

**Kirsty EW** · April 13th, 2006, 12:11 PM

Kathryn, Poor little Lachlan. It's not nice having an operation so young. Gussy has a hydrocele to. He was born with it, and now at 8 months it's still there. Like you we have been told that if it doesn't correct on its own by eighteen months then he'll need an operation. I'm interested to hear updates from you re Lachlan's recovery. We've also been assured that it's a relatively straight forward operation, but that doesn't stop mummies from worrying does it!?! O

**Astrolady** · April 13th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Kirsty I will be sure to give you as much info as I can with his recovery etc. Goodluck for Gussy as well.

Love

**mitch4now** · May 12th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Hi Kathryn
hope it all goes quickly and is all fixed
thinking of you and Lachy
michelle

**Astrolady** · May 12th, 2006, 10:36 AM

Ta michelle. This time next week we will be at the hospital :eek:

Love

Melinda · May 14th, 2006, 01:59 PM

All my love and luck to little Lach for his operation this Friday.

I hope it all goes well.

cazoraz · May 14th, 2006, 02:07 PM

Oh poor baby! Good luck with the surgery, hope it all goes well.

I didnt realise hydracele's were so serious - Coleman had one when he was born but it disappeared within a few months. Your poor little guy! Good luck with the surgery, hope it all goes well.

xxxCaz