Manhattan & Queens · All Five Boroughs
Home · Conditions · Hydrocele
Hydrocele
Scrotal swelling from a hydrocele rarely needs surgery in our hands. We treat most hydroceles in-office with drainage and sclerotherapy — no incision, no general anesthesia, no hospital.
A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid around the testicle that causes painless (sometimes uncomfortable) scrotal swelling. The traditional fix is hydrocelectomy — open surgery in a hospital or surgery center. At New York Urology, most hydroceles are handled a different way: in-office, without surgery.
We use aspiration and sclerotherapy: the fluid is drained with a fine needle, then a sclerosing agent is injected so the space seals and doesn't simply refill. It's done in the office, typically with local anesthesia, and you walk out the same day — no incision, no general anesthesia, no hospital stay.
Aspiration and sclerotherapy is a recognized, minimally invasive first-line option that avoids the cost, downtime, and complications of open surgery. It's an especially good fit for men who want to steer clear of the operating room or aren't ideal surgical candidates. We'll talk through expectations honestly — including that a sclerotherapy approach can occasionally need to be repeated — so you can choose with clear information.
Why it matters
Because we have a combined urology and interventional radiology team in-office, we can image you the day you arrive, reach a diagnosis, and treat many conditions right here — no separate hospital visit, no operating-room scheduling. See how our in-office model works.
If you've noticed scrotal swelling or been told you have a hydrocele and want to avoid surgery, we can usually confirm it with an in-office ultrasound the same visit and lay out your options. Call (212) 991-9991 or book a consultation.
Yes. Many hydroceles can be treated in-office with aspiration and sclerotherapy — the fluid is drained and a sclerosing agent is injected so the space seals rather than refilling. It avoids the incision, general anesthesia, and hospital stay of open hydrocelectomy.
After the fluid is drained with a fine needle, a sclerosing solution is injected into the space so its lining seals and stops re-accumulating fluid. It's a recognized, minimally invasive alternative to surgery, done in the office under local anesthesia.
In the office. We perform hydrocele drainage and sclerotherapy in our office, typically under local anesthesia, and you go home the same day — no hospital admission.
Most simple hydroceles respond well, but sclerotherapy can occasionally need to be repeated, and not every case is a candidate. We'll evaluate yours with ultrasound and give you an honest read on what to expect before proceeding.
Usually the same visit. We can perform an in-office ultrasound when you arrive to confirm a hydrocele (and rule out other causes of scrotal swelling), then discuss treatment that day.
Book a men's-health visit at our Manhattan or Forest Hills office — a simple step that's easy to keep putting off.
Manhattan & Queens · All Five Boroughs