TETRACYCLINE SCLEROTHERAPY FOR TESTICULAR HYDROCELES IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Objectives. To study the efficacy of tetracycline sclerotherapy in ren al transplant recipients with symptomatic hydroceles. Methods. A total of 21 patients with symptomatic hydroceles following renal transplant ation underwent aspiration of hydrocele and injection of tetracycline hydrochloride. Sclerosant solution was prepared by dissolving 1 g tetr acycline hydrochloride powder in 10 mL 1% lidocaine. The amount of scl erosant used depended on the volume of the sac: 5 mL for a sac contain ing up to 100 mL and 2.5 mL of sclerosant was added for each increase of 100 mL in sac volume. Results. Twelve patients (57%) required only one treatment and 9 patients (43%) had up to 3 injections, The larger the hydrocele, the more treatments were required. The resolution of hy drocele was complete in 12 patients (57%) and partial in 7 (33%) with 2 (10%) failures. Pain at injection was observed in one third of the p atients. No major complications (fever, hematoma, infections, abscess, or scrotal necrosis) occurred in any patient. No changes in the struc ture or size of the testicles were found by ultrasound during an avera ge follow-up period of 35 months. Conclusions. Tetracycline sclerother apy is a safe, effective, and economical form of outpatient therapy th at can be recommended as primary treatment for hydroceles in patients who have undergone renal transplantation.