Penis and Scrotum

This is not an exhaustive list but includes some of the common procedures carried out by Ipswich Urology.

Circumcision - is an operation to remove the foreskin, the sleeve of skin that surrounds the head of the penis. The wound is closed with some absorbable (dissolvable) stitches around the edge of the glans (head of the penis). This is usually performed under a general anaesthetic as a daycase, but occasionally patients need to be admitted overnight.

Meatal dilatation - is a procedure to dilate the opening of the urethra (waterpipe) on the surface of the head of the penis. This is usually performed under a general anaesthetic as a daycase.

Frenuloplasty - involves dividing (cutting) the frenulum of the penis. This is a narrow bridge of tissue which attaches the head of the penis to the inside of the foreskin. This can some times be tight in uncircumcised men making retraction of the foreskin painful, and sometimes leading to tearing and bleeding of the frenulum during sexual intercourse. The operation is performed as a daycase under general anaesthetic and will require a few absorbable (dissolvable) stitches.

Nesbitt's Procedure - is an operation to correct Peyronie's disease. Peyronie's disease is a benign condition which involves development of a thickened scar-like tissue within the shaft of the penis. Most commonly this can cause bending of the penis when a man has an erection. This operation is only performed if there is a significant bending making sexual intercourse very difficult or impossible. It involves careful placing of stitches beneath the skin of the shaft of the penis to correct the bend. This can lead to some degree of shortening of the erect penis. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic usually requiring an overnight stay.

Laparoscopic treatment of varicocoele - A varicocoele is like varicose veins in the scrotum. This is a common condition affecting 10-15% of males. Most men have no symptoms, but it can occasionally require treatment for pain. There are a number of techniques available. Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) is performed using 2 small incisions (cuts) on the abdomen (tummy). The vein draining the varicocoele is clipped inside the abdomen just above the groin. This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and often performed as a daycase.

Orchidopexy - involves fixation of the testicle in the scrotum. This operation is usually performed in children in order to bring down a testicle which has not descended into the scrotum and is performed via an incision (cut) in the groin. Fixation of the testicle can also be required as an emergency treatment for torsion (twisting) of the testicle. Torsion usually affects children and adolescents and can cut off the blood supply to the testicle if not performed as soon as possible. In this case the operation is carried out via an incision (cut) in the scrotum. Orchidopexy is performed under general anaesthetic.

Excision of Epididymal cyst - is an operation to remove a benign cyst (fluid filled swelling) arising from the epididymis (the sac which sits behind the testicle within the scrotum). These cysts are quite common but occasionally become very enlarged and uncomfortable. Surgery involves removal of the cyst via an incision (cut) in the scrotum. This is usually performed as a daycase under general anaesthetic.

Excision of Hydrocoele - is an operation to drain and repair a hydrocoele (a sac of fluid surrounding the testicle within the scrotum).  This operation is performed on adults via an incision (cut) in the scrotum. The surrounding fluid is drained away and the outer sac (tunica vaginalis) is excised (cut away) or plicated (folded in a concertina) to prevent the hydrocoele from reforming. In young children the cause of a hydrocoele  is different and requires an operation via an incision (cut) in the groin in order to drain the fluid and then ligate (seal off) a persisting channel (processus vaginalis) connecting the hydrocoele to the inside of the abdomen. This is usually performed as a daycase under general anaesthetic.

 
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