A man’s personal hygiene is just as important as a female’s. Unfortunately, most of us don’t get annual checkups for our male organs, and we seldom look for professional help until there is a problem with our male anatomy. Enlarged, infected, or painful, scrotal lumps and cysts are more than sensitive; they also make walking uncomfortable. These are typical issues that will have us seeking the help of an experienced Glendora or Victorville General Surgeon.
Types of Benign Scrotal Bumps
The vast majority of scrotal lumps and cysts are benign, and the chance of malignancy can be avoided with early treatment. The two types of benign scrotal bumps are:
- Hydrocele lumps can develop when fluid collects in the sheath area around a testicle.
- Epididymal cysts can develop when fluid builds up in the epididymis, where our sperm is stored.
Surgery for Benign Scrotal Bumps
Benign scrotal surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures in a clinic or hospital. Before the operation, you are given a general anesthesia to make sure that you will not feel any pain. You’ll have an IV tube put into a vein in either your hand or your arm for antibiotics or other required medications. The area around your scrotum will be shaved before surgery.
Hydrocelectomy is the name for hydrocele lump surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision in your scrotum to drain the fluid buildup in the sheath. To prevent any future fluid accumulation, the sheath tissue surrounding your hydrocele may be repositioned and stitched back together, or it may be removed. The surgeon may insert a small drainage tube through the incision to allow any remaining fluid to drain. The incision is then closed with either surgical strips or absorbable sutures. The operation requires 20 minutes to an hour for completion.
Epididymectomy is the name for epididymal cyst surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision in your scrotum so that the infected epididymis and the testicle can be pulled outside of the scrotum. The epididymis tube will be cut away from your testicle, the remaining tube ends will be tied off, and your testicle will be placed back into the scrotum. The incision is then closed with absorbable sutures. The operation requires about one hour for completion.
Recovery
You will recoup in the clinic or hospital for a couple of hours after the operation. You’ll need to have a licensed driver with you to take you home. The surgeon will provide you with instructions for follow-up care on the incision site, when you’ll be able to resume normal daily activities, and when to schedule a follow-up office appointment to remove a draining tube or to observe your healing progress. Depending on your personal physical health, a full recovery may take between 2 and 4 weeks.
