Ask the Expert
www.canfp.org
Ask a Question | CANFP Store | Annual Conference | Home 

Ask the Expert 
 
 A Man's Perspective
 Condoms
 Seminal Fluid
 Vasectomy / Vasectomy Reversal
 
 Achieving Pregnancy
 
 Contraception
 
 Could I Be Pregnant?
 
 Dating Conception
 
 Marital Sexuality
 
 Miscellaneous
 
 Monitors
 
 NFP
 
 PMS
 
 PMS / Mood Swings
 
 Questions About My Cycle
 
 Teens Ask
 
 Women's Health
Search

A Man's Perspective : Vasectomy / Vasectomy Reversal Last Updated: Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21


Vasectomy Reversal After Effects
Answered by: Dr. Polito
Jul 12, 2007, 15:32

Email this article
  Printer friendly page

Question

My husband recently had a vasectomy reversal. Afterwards, when the main bruising and swelling had gone away, his right testicle was still very large, swollen, but with no bruising, pain, redness,etc. It is approx. twice the size of the other one and the scrotum skin does seem to be attached to the testicle where the incision was sewn back up. Sort of seems like the sutures went too far and possibly sewed the skin to the testicle in a small area. But again, he is not experiencing any pain or ejaculation problems with this.

Should we be concerned about this or will the testicle return to normal size eventually? It has been 2 months since the surgery. Is there a procedure that would take care of this without another surgery, such as draining the testicle or something?

Thanks in advance for considering this question.

Melody

Answer

Melody asks why her husband has painless swelling of the scrotum two months following vasectomy reversal. In all likelihood her husband has developed what is called a “reactive hydrocoele”—irritation of the lining around the testis itself that then causes this lining to weep fluid into the space immediately around the testis. Since the lining is impermeable—does not allow fluid to go back and forth—the fluid will generally remain trapped there. Sometimes it goes down gradually. Sometimes it continues to get larger gradually. It is harmless, but if it becomes uncomfortable the surgeon can tap the fluid out with a small needle. It may or may not return. More permanent solutions include instilling a medication to discourage fluid reformation or a second procedure to remove the offending fluid and a portion of the lining that holds the fluid in.

Dr. Gregory Polito


Gregory Polito, MD, KM

Gregory Polito, MD, KM, is President of the California Association of Natural Family Planning. Dr. Polito is a urologist in private practice with vasovasostomy (vasectomy reversal) as a subspecialty. He is a Member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and Chair of Board Quality Committee at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, CA. Click Here to visit Dr. Polito's web site.


© Copyright 2005 by CANFP

The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.

Top of Page

Vasectomy / Vasectomy Reversal
Latest Headlines
Should We Reverse Vasectomy?
Vasectomy Problems
Vasectomy Reversal After Effects
Post Vasectomy Mood Changes
Man's Fertililty After Vasectomy
Sperm Presence After Vasectomy
Vasectomy Regrets
Reversing a Vasectomy 19 Years Later
Is Vasectomy Reversal Painful?
Could Sperm Be Present 8 Months After Vasectomy?