Inguinoscrotal Procedures

Orchiectomy is a surgical procedure in which one or both of your testicles are removed. It is often performed to help treat prostate cancer (rarely now), testicular cancer and even breast cancer in men. An orchiectomy can also be carried out before sexual reassignment surgery, for patients transitioning from male to female.

Orchidopexy (or orchiopexy) is a surgical procedure used to move an undescended testicle down into the scrotum. This procedure is usually performed on children less than a year old, as an undescended testicle is unlikely to resolve itself after the age of six months

Hydrocele repair is a procedure used to repair or remove a fluid-filled sac (hydrocele) surrounding the testicle. The aim of the procedure is to prevent more fluid from amassing and this is done by draining the fluid before stitching the sac in place to ensure the fluid cannot reaccumulate. In certain instances, the fluid sac may be removed entirely.

Many men will have epididymal cysts (a benign, balloon-like lump on the epididymis containing fluid) and in most cases they will not present a problem and therefore will not require treatment. However, in cases where a cyst has grown large enough to cause some discomfort, a patient may decide they want it removed. This procedure usually involves removing the testicle so that the full extent of the cyst can be examined, before the cyst is removed. Occasionally, a drainage tube will be left in place to stop fluid from accumulating in the scrotum.

An epididymectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the epididymis (a tube storing sperm that runs along the back of each testicle). This procedure is used to treat a number of conditions including; a tumour or large epididymal cyst, an infection or abscess, an injury in the groin or chronic pain following a vasectomy.