Complications and risk factors in elective benign scrotal surgery

The primary aim of this study was to assess the complication rate after elective scrotal surgery for benign conditions, following the observation that a higher than expected number of patients were requiring intervention for complications of their surgery. The secondary aim was to assess how different risk factors affected the complication rate, therefore identifying areas for improvement in clinical practice.

All patients from April 2008 to September 2013 who underwent an elective hydrocele repair, epididymal cyst excision or epididymectomy at a UK district general hospital were included. Patient notes were reviewed and risk factors for surgery and postoperative complications recorded.

In total, 222 patients were included. The overall complication rate was 27.4%. Complications included haematoma (9.0%), infection (5.0%), recurrence of swelling (7.2%) and chronic pain (0.2%). The only risk factor to have a significant relationship to complication rate was a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater (χ² = 6.698, p = 0.010).

The most common complications after scrotal surgery for benign conditions were haematoma formation, infection and recurrence or persistence of swelling. The only risk factor identified as having a potentially adverse effect on complication rate was a raised body mass index of 30 or greater.