A Population Based Assessment of Complications Following Outpatient Hydrocelectomy and Spermatocelectomy

TLDR

Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate how drains, antibiotics, and surgical preparations influence complication rates. The study aims to determine the incidence of complications after outpatient hydrocelectomy or spermatocelectomy. The authors retrospectively reviewed charts of 161 patients undergoing outpatient hydrocelectomy or spermatocelectomy, recording complications and variables such as antiseptic preparation and drain use. Complications occurred in 19.2% of patients, with infection and persistent swelling each at 9.3% and chronic pain at 0.6%; antiseptic type and drain use did not affect rates.

Abstract

We determine the incidence of complications following outpatient scrotal surgery for the treatment of hydroceles and spermatoceles.A retrospective study of all patients undergoing hydrocelectomy or spermatocelectomy between April 1, 1997 and March 31, 1999 at 1 institution was performed. The hospital and office charts were reviewed, and postoperative complications (infection, persistent swelling, chronic pain) were recorded. The type of preoperative antiseptic preparation (iodine based versus chlorhexidine) and the presence or absence of surgical drains were also recorded.A total of 161 patients were included in the study with an average age of 53.7 years. The overall complication rate was 19.2%. Infection/scrotal abscess formation occurred in 9.3% of patients, persistent swelling (treatment failure) in 9.3% and chronic pain in 0.6%. There was no significant difference in the complication rate when the preoperative preparations and the presence or absence of surgical drains were compared.The most common complications following scrotal surgery for hydroceles and spermatoceles are persistent scrotal swelling, inflammation and postoperative infection. Further prospective investigation is required to study factors such as the use of drains, preoperative and/or perioperative antibiotics and the type of surgical preparations, which may have a role in complication rates.