This article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a template for consenting patients. The person obtaining consent should have clear knowledge of the procedure and the potential risks and complications. Always refer to your local or national guidelines, and the applicable and appropriate law in your jurisdiction governing patient consent.
Overview of Procedure
Epididymal cysts are fluid filled collections located within the epididymis. They do not require treatment if they are small and not causing any symptoms, especially in young males where there is a risk of infertility after excision. However if they become large and symptomatic, there can be an indication for their elective excision.
Complications
Intraoperative
| Complication | Description of Complication | Potential Ways to Reduce Risk |
| Haemorrhage | Damage to local blood vessels when making the incision | |
| Damage to surrounding structures | Injury to nearby structures, including the vas deferens and the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve | Careful dissection and identification of key structures throughout |
| Anaesthetic risks | Includes damage to the teeth, throat and larynx, reaction to medications, nausea and vomiting, cardiovascular and respiratory complications | Forms a part of the anaesthetist assessment before the operation |
Early
| Complication | Description of complication | Potential Ways to Reduce Risk |
| Scrotal swelling | This is expected and can last several days post-operatively | |
| Haematoma formation | Accumulation of blood around the testes, however this will usually gradually resolve spontaneously | Adequate haemostasis intra-operatively |
| Infection | Surgical site infections can develop at the incision site | Maintain an aseptic technique throughout the procedure |
Late
| Complication | Description of complication | Potential Ways to Reduce Risk |
| Recurrence | There is low risk of recurrence following the procedure | |
| Infertility | Rarely, scarring of the epididymis can occur, which may lead to obstruction of sperm transport from the testis |