Complications of hydrocele and results of hydrocelectomy in children more than 2 years of age

Objective: The current standard treatment of hydrocele is ligation of processus vaginalis and removal of fluid in hydrocele at the age of 1-2 years old. However, there were some studies reported the possibility of surgery beyond 2 years old Material and Method: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed as hydrocele and operated during January 2010 to December 2015. The data collected were age at presentation, age at operation, symptoms and signs, associated disease, type of hydrocele, follow-up time before operation, type of operation, duration of operation, and post-operative complication. Results: There were 34 patients. The average age at the time of presentation was 45.03 months and the average age at the time of operation was 48.39 months. The most common presenting symptom was scrotal swelling and transillumination of the scrotum was the most common physical sign. There was 1 postoperative complication from wound hematoma and scrotal swelling. Conclusion: Conservative treatment of hydrocele after 2 years had no serious complication. Operation for hydrocele had some post-operative complications. Waiting more than 2 years may be possible for the patients not comfortable for operation in the standard time.