Surgery for Hydrocele in Children
Surgery gives the best results for a hydrocele in an adult; in children many of the hydroceles resolve spontaneously.
A Non-communicating Hydrocele usually resolves spontaneously by the time the child reaches his first birthday. Resolution occurs as the fluid is reabsorbed from the pouch.
A hydrocele that persists longer than 12 to 18 months is usually a Communicating Hydrocele. A communicating hydrocele usually requires surgical repair to prevent an inguinal hernia from occurring. The surgery involves making a small incision in the groin or inguinal area and then draining the fluid and closing off the opening to the tunica vaginalis.
