Epididymectomy | Hydrocelectomy | Spermatocelectomy

Description of Procedure

After Procedure

If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact us.

What to Expect

  •  You may leave hospital with a dressing on or wrapped around the scrotum.  You will be instructed when the dressing should be removed, usually 24-48 hours after surgery

  •  Swelling and bruising of scrotum often progress for 24-48 hours before starting to improve

  •  Scrotum may change colors as it heals for several days and weeks much like a bruise elsewhere

  • May experience pain or discomfort around incision site

Cautions

Report any of the following to your doctor:

  • Redness, foul-smelling drainage, pus or separation of incision site. Note that a small amount of clear yellow or bloody discharge is expected for 1-2 weeks and will gradually decrease

  • Fever over 38.5 C

  • Severe pain unrelieved by medication

  • Inability to pass your urine

  • Severe, rapidly increasing swelling and discomfort of scrotum. The scrotum should not become swollen to the point where the skin is tight

Diet

Advance to usual diet as tolerated.

Activity

  • Get up and about as soon as possible after surgery

  • Walk short distances for the first 1-2 days after surgery

  • Use an ice bag on the scrotum for the first week to reduce swelling.  Wrap the ice bag in a washcloth.  Do not apply ice directly to skin.  Apply 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off while awake. 

  • Avoid lifting more than 30 lbs for one month and other vigorous physical activity

  • Wear an athletic support or briefs for the first few weeks after surgery. You may wash the athletic support you received at the hospital and wear it over your regular underwear. 

  • You may start showering 24-36 hrs after surgery.  Avoid water stream directly on incision.  You may sponge bathe.  Do not submerge in a tub bath for 3-4 weeks. 

  • The sutures in the scrotum will dissolve on their own over 2-3 weeks

  • It is normal to have a small amount of bloody or clear yellow discharge from the wound for 1-2 weeks after surgery

  • You may start driving about 3-7 days after surgery.  Do no drive if you are still on narcotic pain medication or have limited mobility.

Medications

  • Take antibiotics as per prescription

  •  Use prescription pain medication as needed

  • You may apply polysporin or other antibiotic ointment to the incision 2-3 times per day until completely healed

  •  Take a stool softener (obtain over the counter at local pharmacy) starting the night of your surgery.  Stop taking stool softeners once having soft bowel movements.  Do not take stool softeners if diarrhea occurs.

  • If you have not had a bowel movement by the 3rd day after your surgery, take a laxative (obtain at your local pharmacy over the counter)

  • You may begin your regular medications when you leave the hospital unless instructed otherwise

  • If you take bloodthinners (ASA, plavix, warfarin), your doctor will advise when you can start them again

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