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Swollen/Hard Spermatic Cord After Repair? Recurrent hernia?
I had an indirect inguinal hernia repaired about a week ago on the 14th. This was done as an open surgery. They used a Bard Mesh Perfix Plug and the Rutkow-Robbins technique. I was able to leave surgery and walk the same day with almost no pain at all. After a day or so passed, I noticed that I still had not regained sensation from the incision site downward through the inner thigh. After about four days I also noticed that I had developed what seemed like a hard lump descending down into the scrotum. I went to the emergency room. The ER doctor initially said that it was a recurrent hernia. The ER doc also that the numbness and loss of sensation was likely due to a cut nerve. I had an appointment the next day with a second surgeon. The surgeon said that it was not a recurrent hernia, but rather inflamed or swollen tissue. He did a cough test to determine this and said a scan was unnecessary.
Since then the area has become slightly less hard, but significantly more tender. It feels like a thick cord (probably the diameter of one of my fingers) leading up from the scrotum to the incision site. The pain feels almost like a burning or scratching sensation on the skin above the area (rather than a feeling inside the cord itself, or an ache, or any deep tissues). There isn’t very much inflammation or pain aside from that. No bruising or discoloration, although there was some minor bruising of the scrotum initially. The surgical site seems in good condition without much swelling.
What are all of your thoughts on this. Does this sound like an issue with the spermatic cord? Could it in fact be a recurrent hernia? Has anyone had a similar experience after their surgery?
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4 Replies
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Good intentions I totally agree …also sometimes doctor assistant pulling cord too much out of that position so doctor could make a better fix .but i believe that would happens with open surgery only .
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Hey [USER=”2029″]Good intentions[/USER], thanks for responding! The original surgeon is out of town until the beginning of Jan, but I have an appointment with them when they come back. I got a reference to the second surgeon because it’s all the same hospital/insurance. I had went to the ER because I was alarmed, I thought perhaps it was an incarcerated hernia. But I think you’re right, that’s what the second surgeon said also. That a recurrence, especially so early, would be really unlikely.
I suppose it is still pretty early. I had such little pain initially the first couple of days that it also sort of alarmed me that it suddenly became swollen and painful. I’ve still got a lot of healing to do in any case so hopefully it gets better!
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[USER=”2769″]HerniaQuestions1[/USER]
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I’ve read and heard comments about “angry” or irritated spermatic cords after surgery. I had a small lump like yours after my first repair which eventually disappeared. When the hernia sac is pulled out of the canal I think that it leaves irritated tissue behind.
The plug and patch method blocks the hole with a substantial piece of folded up mesh, backed up by a flat piece of mesh. I think that a recurrence is unlikely. One reason it’s a popular repair method. The plug does sit next to the spermatic cord though so the cord has to adjust to its presence. The 14th is ten days ago. You’re still in the healing response time frame.
Why didn’t you talk to the surgeon who did the repair? You saw an ER doctor and a “second” surgeon. Curious.
Good luck. Enjoy the holidays, if you can.
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