Effect of Ethanol Injected into Tunical Cavity on Scrotal Wall and Testicle in Rats

Kim, Uk; Park, Tong Choon

Abstract

Noncommunicating hydrocele in adult is the most frequently encountered mass of the scrotum. Traditionally surgery had been considered as the most effective method of treatment. Sclerotherapy, however, may provide an alternative means of treatment for patients who are poor surgical or anesthetic risks and those who refuse surgery. In recent years, a number of sclerosing agents including tetracycline have been introduced, but those were found to produce various kinds of complications or frequent recurrences. Alcohol was also proved to have sclerosing effect by Bean who used it in the treatment of simple renal cysts with good results. This study was designed to determine the feasibility of sclerotherapy with alcohol for noncommunicating hydroceles. 95% or 75% sterile alcohol and tetracycline were injected into the spaces of tunica vaginalis of male rats to produce fibrous adhesion. At second week after injection, There was no significant difference in successful adhesion rates between alcohol injection group (71.9%) and tetracycline injection group(75%). 95% alcohol seemed more effective than 75% alcohol. There was no specific change or damage in the testicular parenchyme or surrounding scrotal wall. This result suggests the clinical applicability of alcohol in the management of noncommunicatinghydroceles.