Q. Is it true that after hydrocele surgery the operated part of testis will become bigger than normal?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

It is not necessarily true that after hydrocele surgery the operated part of the testis will become bigger than normal. The size of the testes can vary due to a number of factors, including age, ethnicity and underlying medical conditions.

Hydrocele is a condition in which fluid builds up around one or both testes, resulting in swelling. It is most often seen in newborns and young boys but can also affect adult men due to injury or infection. Hydroceles are usually painless but may cause discomfort or fibrous tissue (a hard lump) on either side of the scrotum.

When hydrocele occurs, surgical removal (hydrocelectomy) may be recommended if other treatments such as antibiotics have not worked or if there is an increased risk for complications such as infection or torsion (twisting) of the spermatic cord(s). During this procedure, incisions are made near each side of scrotum to drain excess fluid from around the affected testicle(s). After recovery from surgery has been completed, it’s possible that some scar tissue could remain on either side where incisions were made which could result in larger-than-normal sizes being observed after surgery when compared with preoperative measurements.

Scarring however does not always occur following hydrocelectomy and many individuals return to their baseline measurements after complete recovery from surgery without any further interventions required for overall size restoration back into its normal range (which may vary based on patient characteristics such as age, ethnicity etc.). As with any medical procedure however potential outcomes cannot be 100% predicted ahead of time so patients should discuss all risks/benefits associated with this type of treatment prior to beginning care plan recommendations given by their healthcare providers accordingly.