Groin Conditions

Hydrocele

  • Collection of fluid within the tunica vaginalis that surrounds the testes

Clinical presentation

  • Soft, smooth, non-tender swelling around one of the testes
  • Transilluminate with light on examination with a pen torch

Management

  • Simple hydroceles (no connection with peritoneal cavity) usually resolve within 2 years without having any lasting negative effects
  • Communicating hydroceles (have a connection with the peritoneal cavity) are managed surgically

Inguinal hernia

  • Part of the bowel pushes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles

Clinical presentation

  • Soft lump in the inguinal region (in the groin)

Management

  • Surgical correction

Undescended testes

  • In about 5% of boys the testes have not made it out of the abdomen by birth; at this point they are called undescended testes

Clinical presentation

  • Empty scrotum
  • Testes may be palpable on physical examination

Management

  • Watching and waiting is appropriate in newborns - in most cases the testes will descend in the first 3-6 months
  • Surgical correction should be carried out between 6 and 12 months of age if testes still have not descended