Hematoma and swelling after a vasectomy reversal
Jan 29th 2008adminPost vasectomy bruising pictures & Vasectomy reversal
My husband and I DESPERATELY need your advice. On January 16, my husband underwent a bilateral vasovasostomy, which, according to the urologist, went extremely well. Unfortunately, that was not the case. My husbands scrotum, IMMEDIATELY following surgery, started swelling, and turning dark purple, then nearly black. Please look at the photo’s I took of this. I started documenting this information because I was extremely worried that these symptoms would worsen. And I was right.
Within 8 hours after the procedure, my husband started experiencing tremendous pain accompanied with bruising and swelling in the right side of his groin. We prayed that this would be normal side effects from the reversal, and would eventually ease.
Today is the 26th of January (nearly 2 weeks after the procedure) and there has been little improvement and much more pain.
On January 23, I took him to the emergency room where they diagnosed him with a scrotal hematoma, prescribed him ten – 5mg percocets and sent us on our way.
Since that night my husband has had a low grade fever that goes up and then down within minutes. The fever usually lasts about 5-10 minutes and is associated with sweating. The fever spells seem to have subsided within the last 12 hours, but he has not been able to get out of bed AT ALL for nearly 3 days, as the pain is excruciating in his scrotum when he stands up, and he SAIS that it feels as though his testicles are going to burst (at that point his testicles are swelling again).
The pain in his groin is subsiding, but like I mentioned, his testicles are in severe pain as soon as he stands up. He nearly passes out and sweats and shakes from the pain (I fear that he might go into shock). Since the surgery, my husband has been bedridden – and I have devoted my time researching any possible articles that may relate to this situation, but have been unsuccessful in doing so. The only scrotal hematoma that I have been able to find are ones from vasectomy’s, not vasectomy reversals.
My questions to you are:
1.) Is this extremely dangerous, and what do I need to do? I know I should take him to the emergency room, but they will probably do the same thing that they did the last time, as this is a military hospital, and his surgery was done at a Medical Center – several hours from where we live.
2.) Could this hematoma harm the vas deferens since the hematoma may have been a result of bleeding from the vas deferen?
3.) Also, what are his chances for fertility when a scrotal hematoma occurs?
Thank you so much – we really need your help…..
Scrotal hematoma can be a complication of ANY scrotal surgery and is not just limited to vasectomy procedures. In fact, the more involved the scrotal surgery, the higher the risk of developing a scrotal hematoma. Meticulous care to control all possible bleeding sites at the time of surgery is necessary to prevent scrotal hematomas. Blood from a scrotal hematoma can track up the abdominal wall or down into the perineum. Blood tracking into the perineum will cause a characteristic butterfly pattern as seen in these pictures. After two weeks, there is nothing surgical that can be done to minimize the bruising. In fact, bruising at this point represents old blood that has already begun to degrade and will go through a spectrum of color changes like any other bruise. Since the active bleeding most likely has stopped, the best course of action would be to wait for the hematoma and bruising to resolve which can take several months. It is difficult to say if any harm to the vasectomy reversal will come from this hematoma. The hematoma will inevitably cause some scarring in the scrotum. The extent of the scarring and the damage due to the scarring is unpredictable. The best indicator of the success of the surgery will be based on the results of the semen analysis.
Amanda on 01 Apr 2008 at 7:46 pm #
Hi! My hubby just had his vasovasectomy on March 18th……days later, massive swelling, puss, fever, etc, etc….After 6 days in the hospital, and IV antibiotics (from the “perfect” surgery)we were told this is a hematoma. I know it had to be infected…But like you, unable to get answers, and little info on the internet. Let me know how your situation goes.
Jenny E on 25 Sep 2008 at 1:17 pm #
My husband has the same exact problem. Please let us know how you went. I am very worried.
Kevin on 22 Dec 2008 at 5:34 am #
Found this site doing some research on scrotal swelling. I am on the fourth day of post op from a vasovasectomy and my testicles are swollen to the size of a grapefruit. There is no bruising and very little pain, just (what I percieve to be) severe swelling. I only took ibuprofen for pain. This was at the advice of one doctor who suggested it would reduce swelling. Another doctor informs me that this will increase swelling because ibuprofen thins blood and thus prevents natural clotting. I am off the ibuprofen now but the swelling seems to be constant.
I was under the impression I would be walking around after 3 days and now it looks like I will be bedridden for a week. I am curious, how did your husbands condition turn out?
Michael on 22 Dec 2008 at 7:17 am #
I had my reversal done on December 9, 2008. I too was under the impression everything would be healing and I could get active about the 7th day. Well, it’s Christmas and I have only been out of the house 3 times since surgery. Removed the sutures per doctors orders on the 10th day. Tonight I am bleeding from one side that popped open. Swelling and abdominal pain have eased a bit, but not as quickly as I would hope.
Fay on 26 Feb 2010 at 2:17 pm #
My husband just has a vasovasostomy in Hartelpool by Dr. Dawson. He had no pain no swelling at all. Only some bruising about 1 inches long where the stitches are. Now it is day 3 without any pain killer he is healing very well. Please choose your surgeon very well before you trust your life.
Charlie on 24 Jun 2010 at 5:14 am #
4 weeks after my reversal. Still a small hematoma lump in my scrotum.
It was pretty rough going for the first two weeks. All I can say is keep ice on it and stay off your feet as much as you can. Hydrocodone at night to help with pain and sleep. I recommend sleeping with a pillow between your legs to limit movement. Doc says it could be a couple months before it is gone. Hematomas are to be expected in this procedure. 2-3 hours of trauma will break blood vessels. If you didn’t get one, consider yourself lucky.