Background: Operative treatment of large hydroceles generally requires a large incision.
Methods: A technique is described which permits a traditional Jaboulay's or Lord's repair to be done through a 3 cm incision.
Results: Twenty patients with large hydroceles were operated on from June 2000 to November 2001 using this technique and to date, only one patient has had a recurrence. There has been no occurrence of either scrotal wound infection or haematoma -formation.
Conclusions: A hydrocele repair of the surgeon's choice can be done safely through a 3 cm incision.