Patient Advice Following an Orchidectomy

You have just had your ………….. testicle removed. This is usually removed from an cut in your groin, however it maybe removed through a cut in your scrotum depending on where your testicle lies.  You may/may not have a prosthesis inserted but this will be discussed with you before your procedure.

Pain

During your procedure the surgeon may have numbed the surrounding area with local anaesthetic, this can take four to eight hours to wear off.  You may have some swelling, bruising and discomfort. Following this you should take analgesia regularly. Always follow the advice on the medication packet and do not exceed the recommended doses.

Wound

 It is important to keep the wound clean and dry for the first two days to allow the wound time to heal. If a dressing is in place you can then shower as normal but avoid soaking the wounds for long periods. You may have stitches which are dissolvable and will take two to three weeks to dissolve.  The dressing can be removed after two days. It is common to have a small amount of blood on the dressing.

Please contact your GP or 111 out of hours if:

• You have any increased redness, tenderness or pain
• Flu like symptoms such as a shivering or a temperature
• Fluid, pus or blood from the wound.

It is advisable to wear supportive underpants and not boxer shorts. The surgeon may also provide you with a scrotal support which is fitted during the procedure. The support will help to reduce the amount of swelling that will occur. This can be worn until the swelling and discomfort has settled.

General information

You should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for the next four weeks.

Your own circumstances will determine when you return to work. You can self certificate for one week; contact your GP for a certificate if further time off is required.

You must not drive for 24 hours following sedation or a general anaesthetic. This is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act.

Contact numbers

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to:

Your GP or out of hours GP

NHS Direct 111

Dorchester Day Surgery Unit: 01305 254501 (day of procedure only)

Lulworth Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255471

Abbotsbury Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255150

Urology Nurse Specialist: 01305 255415

Continence Advisors: 01305 259978

Consultant Urological Surgeons:
Mr N Afzal 01305 255468

Mr R David 01305 255274

Miss F New 01305 255470

Mr R Blegay 01305 255468

Mr M Bajwa 01305 255274

Mr Q Choudry 01305 255274

About this leaflet

Author: Laura Gower, Staff Nurse
Written: June 2025
Updated by and approved: Kayleigh Fairchild, Deputy Sister2025
Review date: 2028
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk