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East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X
EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 19, No. 3, 2015, pp. 45-52
Bioline Code: js14055
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2015, pp. 45-52

 en Biochemical Analysis of Hydrocele fluid in Males with hydrocele in a Filariasis endemic Community: An experience at surgical camp in Tanga
Mchembe, M.D.; Mwanga, A. & Ramadhan, H.

Abstract

Background: Adult hydrocele is a very common urological disease in most of the subSaharan African countries; the reported incidence of adult hydrocele is up to 20–28% in some lymphatic filariasis endemic communities. The associated economic burden involved with the treatment of hydrocele can be significant in these mostly poor resource economies. There is shortage of published data regarding biochemical analysis of hydrocele fluids in Tanzania and the study area in particular. This study was conducted in our local setting in an endemic filariasis affected area to describe and highlight the biochemical component of adult male hydrocele fluid, the clinical appearance of the hydrocele fluid and tunica vaginalis at operation.
Methods: This was cross-sectional descriptive study, done at Pangani to all patients seen at the camp in the year 2011 and found to have hydrocele in one or both sides. Demographic data were entered, necessary investigations were taken and patients were scheduled for operation. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.
Results: A total of 81 patients were studied, all being Males. The commonest age of patients at diagnosis was ≥ 60 years (39%) followed by the age range between 20 – 45 years (34%). Majority of patients had their disease duration of < 5years (41 patients) followed by patients with the disease > 10 years (22 patients). In terms of location of the hydrocele, most of the patients had their disease located on the left side (24 patients) followed by those with bilateral disease (22 patients). The clinical hydrocele fluid appearance at operation was found to be straw coloured in the majority of cases (48 patients), followed by the clear yellow fluid (19 patients). For the tunica vaginalis characteristics at operation, 34 patients (the majority) had thin and soft tunica vaginalis. Most of the electrolytes tested in hydrocele fluid (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl-) were found to be within normal range with the known serum normal levels.
Conclusions: Biochemical electrolyte composition of adult male hydrocele fluid in filariasis endemic area community is almost similar to normal serum major electrolytes.

Keywords
Adult male hydrocele fluid; biochemical analysis in an endemic filariasis community; surgical camp; Tanzania

 
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