Hydrocele

ADVERTISEMENTS

A hydrocele is a collection of peritoneal fluid that accumulates in the scrotum through a small passage called the processus vaginalis.

What is Hydrocele? 

Few of the genitourinary conditions may affect the infant in the first year of life.

Hydrocele (right) occurs when there is a collection of fluid inside the scrotum.
  • A hydrocele is a collection of peritoneal fluid that accumulates in the scrotum through a small passage called the processus vaginalis.
  • This processus is a finger-like projection in the inguinal canal through which the testes descend.
  • A hydrocele is a fluid collection within the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum or along the spermatic cord.
  • These fluid collections may represent persistent developmental connections along the spermatic cord or an imbalance of fluid production versus absorption.
  • The description of the abdominal cavity parietes to the tunica vaginalis is attributed to Galen in 176 AD; however, the clear description of the inguinal anatomy and its relationship to groin hernias and hydroceles was not recorded until the 19th century.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of hydroceles requires an imbalance of scrotal fluid production and absorption; this imbalance can be divided further into exogenous fluid sources or intrinsic fluid production.

Non-communicating hydrocele (center) occurs when there is no connection between the abdominal cavity and the sac around the testicle in the scrotum, but when the sac does not close, the hydrocele (right) is called communicating or open.
  • Alternatively, hydroceles can be divided into those that represent a persistent communication with the abdominal cavity and those that do not.
  • Fluid excesses are from exogenous sources (the abdomen) in communicating hydroceles, whereas noncommunicating hydroceles develop increased scrotal fluid from abnormal intrinsic scrotal fluid shifts.
  • With communicating hydroceles, simple Valsalva maneuvers probably account for the classic variation in size during day-sleep cycles.
  • Noncommunicating hydroceles may result from increased fluid production or impaired fluid absorption.
  • A sudden onset of scrotal hydrocele in older children has been noted after viral illnesses; in such cases, viral-mediated serositis may account for the net increased fluid production.
  • Posttraumatic hydroceles likely occur secondary to increased serosal fluid production due to underlying inflammation.
  • Although rare in the United States, filarial infestations are a classic cause of the decreased lymphatic fluid absorption resulting in hydroceles.

Statistics and Incidences

In endemic tropical regions, scrotal hydrocele may occur in males of any age as a result of filariasis, especially from Wuchereria bancrofti infection.

  • A patent processus vaginalis is found in 80-90% of term male infants at birth.
  • This frequency rate steadily decreases until age 2 years, at which point it appears to plateau at approximately 25-40%.
  • Indeed, autopsy series of men have identified a frequency rate of 20% of the processus vaginalis remaining patent until late in life.
  • However, clinically apparent scrotal hydroceles are evident in only 6% of term males beyond the newborn period.
  • The incidence of hydroceles in men is less well known.

Causes

The causes of hydroceles are legion.

  • Patency of processus vaginalis. In children, most hydroceles are of the communicating type, in which patency of the processus vaginalis allows peritoneal fluid to flow into the scrotum, particularly during Valsalva maneuvers.
  • Infection. In the adult population, filariasis, a parasitic infection caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, accounts for most causes of hydroceles worldwide, affecting more than 120 million people in more than 73 countries.
  • Iatrogenic causes. Following laparoscopic or transplant surgery in males, inadequate irrigation fluid aspiration may cause hydroceles in patients with a patent processus vaginalis or a small hernia.

Clinical Manifestations

Hydroceles typically manifest as the following:

  • Palpable fullness. Hydroceles typically manifest as a soft nontender fullness within the hemiscrotum.
  • Transillumination. When the scrotum is investigated with a focused beam of light, the scrotum transilluminates, revealing a homogeneous glow without internal shadows.
  • Swelling. Hydroceles of the canal of Nuck in female patients typically present as soft, nontender inguinal or labial swelling.

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Simple hydroceles are diagnosed on clinical grounds.

Scrotal ultrasound of a 1 dm large hydrocele, with anechoic (dark) fluid around the testicle.
  • Laboratory studies. Few laboratory tests, if any, are warranted specifically for simple hydroceles, communicating or noncommunicating; concomitant medical conditions may be indications for preoperative laboratory studies; laboratory studies may be indicated to exclude other surgical or medical conditions that may be in the differential diagnosis.
  • Ultrasonography. Ultrasonography provides excellent detail of the testicular parenchyma; spermatoceles can be clearly distinguished from hydroceles on sonograms; if a testicular tumor is a diagnostic consideration, ultrasonography is an excellent screening study.
  • Duplex ultrasonography. Duplex studies may provide substantial information regarding testicular blood flow when a hydrocele may be associated with chronic torsion.
  • Plain abdominal radiography. Plain radiography may be useful for distinguishing an acute hydrocele from an incarcerated hernia; gas overlying the groin may indicate an incarcerated hernia.

Surgical Management

Surgical therapy can be divided into three approaches: inguinal, scrotal, and sclerotherapy.

  • Inguinal. The inguinal approach, with ligation of the processus vaginalis high within the internal inguinal ring, is the procedure of choice for pediatric hydroceles; if a testicular tumor is identified on testicular ultrasonography, an inguinal approach with high control/ligation of the cord structures is mandated.
  • Scrotal. The scrotal approach, with excision or eversion and suturing of the tunica vaginalis, is recommended for chronic noncommunicating hydroceles; this approach should be avoided upon any suspicion for underlying malignancy.
  • Sclerotherapy. An additional adjunctive, if not definitive, procedure, is scrotal aspiration and sclerotherapy of the hemiscrotum using tetracycline or doxycycline solutions; recurrence after sclerotherapy is common, as is significant pain and epididymal obstruction, making this treatment a last resort in poor surgical candidates with symptomatic hydroceles and in men in whom fertility is no longer an issue.

Nursing Management

Nursing care management for a patient with hydrocele includes the following:

Nursing Assessment

Assessment of a child with hydrocele includes:

  • Physical examination. The scrotum is enlarged on both sides; a smooth, cystic feeling mass completely surrounding the testicle and not involving the spermatic cord is characteristic of a hydrocele.

Nursing Diagnoses

Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses are:

Nursing Care Planning and Goals

Nursing care planning and goals for a patient with hydrocele includes:

  • The patient or the caregivers will be able to acknowledge feelings and identify healthy ways to deal with them.
  • The patient will be able to appear relaxed, and is able to rest/sleep appropriately.
  • The caregivers will be able to identify individual risk factors and interventions to reduce potential for infection.
  • The caregivers will be able to maintain safe aseptic environment for the child.
  • The patient will be able to demonstrate adequate fluid balance, as evidenced by stable vital signs, palpable pulses of good quality, normal skin turgor, moist mucous membranes, and individually appropriate urinary output.
  • The patient will be able to report relief from pain.
  • The patient’s wound will be able to achieve timely healing.

Nursing Interventions

The nursing interventions appropriate for the child are:

  • Health education. Provide preoperative education, including visit with OR personnel before surgery when possible; discuss anticipated things that may concern patient: masks, lights, IVs, BP cuff, electrodes, bovie pad, feel of oxygen cannula or mask on nose or face, autoclave and suction noises, child crying.
  • Reduce risk for infection. Verify that preoperative skin, vaginal, and bowel cleansing procedures have been done as needed depending on specific surgical procedure; apply sterile dressing to prevent environmental contamination of fresh wound; and administer antibiotics as indicated.
  • Monitor fluid volume. Measure and record I&O (including tubes and drains); monitor vital signs noting changes in blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and respirations; and resume oral intake gradually as indicated.
  • Relief from pain. Evaluate pain regularly (every 2 hrs noting characteristics, location, and intensity (0–10 scale); note presence of anxiety or fear, and relate with nature of and preparation for procedure; assess causes of possible discomfort other than operative procedure; and provide additional comfort measures: backrub, heat or cold applications.

Evaluation

Goals are met as evidenced by:

  • The patient or the caregivers acknowledged their feelings and identified healthy ways to deal with them.
  • The patient appeared relaxed, and is able to rest/sleep appropriately.
  • The caregivers identified individual risk factors and interventions to reduce potential for infection.
  • The caregivers maintained a safe aseptic environment for the child.
  • The patient demonstrated adequate fluid balance, as evidenced by stable vital signs, palpable pulses of good quality, normal skin turgor, moist mucous membranes, and individually appropriate urinary output.
  • The patient reported relief from pain.
  • The patient’s wound achieved timely healing.

Documentation Guidelines

Documentation in a patient with hydrocele should involve:

  • Individual findings, including factors affecting, interactions, nature of social exchanges, specifics of individual behavior.
  • Intake and output.
  • Signs of infection.
  • Cultural and religious beliefs, and expectations.
  • Plan of care.
  • Teaching plan.
  • Responses to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
  • Attainment or progress toward desired outcome.

Practice Quiz: Hydrocele

Here’s a 5-item quiz for Hydrocele study guide. Please visit our nursing test bank page for more NCLEX practice questions.

ADVERTISEMENTS

1. Which of the following applies to the defect emerging from residual peritoneal fluid confined within the lower segment of the processus vaginalis?

A. Inguinal hernia
B. Incarcerated hernia
C. Communicating hydrocele
D. Noncommunicating hydrocele

1. Answer: D. Noncommunicating hydrocele

  • Option D: With a noncommunicating hydrocele, most commonly seen at birth, residual peritoneal fluid is trapped within lower segment of the processus vaginalis (the tunica vaginalis). There is no communication with the peritoneal cavity and the fluid usually is absorbed during the first months after birth.
  • Option A: An inguinal hernia arises from the incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis leading to the descent of an intestinal portion.
  • Option B: Incarceration occurs when the hernia becomes tightly caught in the hernia sac.
  • Option C: A communicating hydrocele usually is associated with an inguinal hernia because the processus vaginalis remains open from the scrotum to the abdominal cavity.

2. An infant with hydrocele is seen in the clinic for a follow-up visit at 1 month of age. The scrotum is smaller than it was at birth, but fluid is still visible on illumination. Which of the following actions is the physician likely to recommend?

A. Massaging the groin area twice a day until the fluid is gone.
B. Referral to a surgeon for repair.
C. No treatment is necessary; the fluid is reabsorbing normally.
D. Keeping the infant in a flat, supine position until the fluid is gone.

2. Answer: C. No treatment is necessary; the fluid is reabsorbing normally.

  • Option C: A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the scrotum that results from a patent tunica vaginalis; illumination of the scrotum with a pocket light demonstrates the clear fluid; in most cases, the fluid reabsorbs within the first few months of life and no treatment is necessary.
  • Options A and D: Massaging the area or placing the infant in a supine position would have no effect.
  • Option B: Surgery is not indicated.

3. Nurse Jeremy is evaluating a client’s fluid intake and output record. Fluid intake and urine output should relate in which way?

A. Fluid intake should be double the urine output.
B. Fluid intake should be approximately equal to the urine output.
C. Fluid intake should be half the urine output.
D. Fluid intake should be inversely proportional to the urine output.

3. Answer: B. Fluid intake should be approximately equal to the urine output.

  • Option B: Normally, fluid intake is approximately equal to the urine output. Any other relationship signals an abnormality.
  • Option A: Fluid intake that is double the urine output indicates fluid retention
  • Option C: Fluid intake that is half the urine output indicates dehydration.
  • Option D: Normally, fluid intake isn’t inversely proportional to the urine output.

4. When explaining to the parents of a child with hydrocele about the possible cause of the condition, the nurse bases this explanation on the interpretation that hydrocele is most likely the result of which of the following:

A. Blockage in the inguinal canal.
B. Failure of the upper part of the processus vaginalis to atrophy.
C. A patent processus vaginalis that results in the collection of fluid along the spermatic cord.
D. An obliterated processus vaginalis that allows fluid to accumulate in the scrotal sac.

4. Answer:  C. A patent processus vaginalis that results in the collection of fluid along the spermatic cord.

  • Option C: A hydrocele is a fluid collection within the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum or along the spermatic cord.
  • Options A, B, C: These processes does not occur in hydrocele.

5. Shortly after an infant is returned to his room following hydrocele repair, the infant’s mother tells the nurse that the child’s scrotum looks swollen and bruised. Which of the following responses by type nurse is the most appropriate?

A. “Let me see if the doctor has ordered aspirin for him. If he did, I’ll get it right away.”
B. “Why don’t you wait in his room? Then you can ask me any questions when I get there.”
C. “What you are describing is unusual after this type of surgery. I’ll let the doctor know.”
D. “This is normal after this type of surgery. Let’s look at it together just to be sure.”

5. Answer: D. “This is normal after this type of surgery. Let’s look at it together just to be sure.”

  • Option D: Swelling and bruising of the surgical site is a usual occurrence right after the surgery. Elevation of the scrotal area and anti-inflammatory agents can be administered as ordered by the physician.
  • Option A: Aspirin is not the drug of choice given for pediatric patients.
  • Option B: Answering questions could relieve the anxiety felt by the family and the patient.
  • Option C: Swelling and bruising are normal occurrences for the patient after the surgery.
ADVERTISEMENTS

Marianne leads a double life, working as a staff nurse during the day and moonlighting as a writer for Nurseslabs at night. As an outpatient department nurse, she has honed her skills in delivering health education to her patients, making her a valuable resource and study guide writer for aspiring student nurses.

Leave a Comment

Share to...