Endoscopic versus open hydrocelectomy for the treatment of adult hydroceles: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes of endoscopic treatment of hydrocele with conventional open hydrocelectomy regarding complications and patient satisfaction.


METHODS
Patients with clinically significant hydroceles were prospectively enrolled into two treatment groups. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of patients who underwent endoscopic (n = 27) and open surgical treatments (n = 27), respectively. Outcome measures were perioperative and postoperative complications and recurrence rates.


RESULTS
Hydrocele recurred in the first two cases in Group 1 during the initial phase of the learning curve of the technique. No recurrence was encountered in Group 2. As a complication, moderate to severe edema occurred in 4 cases in the endoscopic group. In the open surgery group, significant edema and hematoma occurred in 8 and 2 cases, respectively. On the first and tenth postoperative days, endoscopic procedure was found more cosmetically acceptable and covered a more comfortable convalescence period when compared to open surgical group (P < 0.05). In Groups 1 and 2, 88 and 70% of the patients, respectively, declared that they would recommend this procedure to their friends (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic method is a viable option in the treatment of hydrocele. Outstanding feature of the endoscopic method is an earlier achievement of a better cosmetic outcome and a comfortable postoperative period when compared with the conventional treatment.
Emir
Levent
L
Ministry of Health Ankara Teaching and Research Hospital, Clinic of 1st Urology, 1.Sigorta Blokları 10/1, Oran, Ankara, Turkey.
Sunay
Melih
M
Dadalı
Mümtaz
M
Karakaya
Yakup
Y
Erol
Demokan
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods*