Open Hydrocelectomy for Scrotal Hydrocele
Jennifer A. Kane, MD; Joseph Y. Clark, MD
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hydrocelectomy is a common and effective surgical procedure used to treat hydrocele, a condition in males defined as an accumulation of benign peritoneal fluid between the layers of the scrotum. The indications for hydrocelectomy include pain, poor cosmetic appearance, or negative impact on patient quality of life. Surgical treatment of hydroceles aims to treat symptoms as well as prevent complications of hydroceles left untreated, including chronic pain or testicular ischemia. A scrotal incision is the most common approach for surgical management of non-communicating hydroceles. The hydrocele sac is isolated, the fluid is drained, and the sac is excised and closed to prevent recurrence. This video presents a case of a patient with a left sided non-communicating hydrocele that was treated with hydrocelectomy. As part of the procedure, a surgical drain was left in place.