Comparative study of sclerotherapy with phenol and surgical treatment for hydrocele.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the efficiency, side effects and effects on spermatogenesis of sclerotherapy with phenol and surgical treatment for hydrocele.


METHODS
A total of 67 patients (80 hydroceles) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 40 hydroceles each. One group underwent phenol sclerotherapy and the other underwent hydrocelectomy. Spermiograms were done before, 6 and 12 months after treatment in patients able to ejaculate.


RESULTS
In the sclerotherapy group 47.5%, 30%, 12.5%, 5% and 2.5% of the hydroceles were cured with 1 to 5 injections, respectively, but 2.5% were not cured even with 6 injections. There were no complaints of localized pain or infection in these cases. All patients returned to normal activity on the same day. In the hydrocelectomy group 97.5% and 2.5% of hydroceles were cured with 1 and 2 operations, respectively. There was pain postoperatively in 73.5% of the patients and localized infection in 5%, while 62.5% required an average of 4.5 days of rest and were absent from work for 10 days. There was no significant statistical alteration in spermatozoid concentration in the preoperative, and 6 and 12-month postoperative counts in the groups (p = 0.385).


CONCLUSIONS
Sclerotherapy for hydrocele with phenol is as efficacious as hydrocelectomy, while causing less morbidity and similar effects on spermatogenesis.
Shan
Chen Jen
CJ
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Lucon
Antonio Marmo
AM
Arap
Sami
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019800:Phenol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013737:Testis / Q000601:surgery
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D019800:Phenol