[Treatment of hydrocele with evacuation and percutaneous sclerosis with polidocanol]

Abstract

Twenty male patients aged 26-79 years old, with symptomatic unilateral hydrocele, were treated by evacuation puncture and intracavitary instillation of 2 ml of a 3% polydocanol solution. In 13 cases, treatment was done ambulatory and only in the first few cases sperm cord anaesthetics was used. Regular follow-up of at least 6 months was made. No complications were encountered and only one third of patients complained of mild pain. In 12 cases (60%) hydrocele cure was achieved and 6 relapsed (another 2 were lost to follow-up). Testes ultrasound performed 1 month later showed that 4 patients had non-symptomatic multicystic relapse, which disappeared spontaneously within 6 months in three cases. The advantages of this substance in hydrocele non-surgical treatment versus other therapies used until now are reviewed, concluding by recommending other groups to test it clinically.