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Have PTSD. Had Surgery For Bilateral Hernia. Taking Morphine, Vicodine. Scrotum Is Black And Painful. Serious?
Question: Hi, My son is a vet 2 tours in Iraq 31 years old, has PTSD. He had surgery for bi-lateral hernias at the VA hosp. April 15th 2013. He has been in intense pain, with left size scrotum the size of a grapefruit. Went back to ER VA Hops. April 17th, gave him morphine (as much as they thought safe with his weight) and now Percocet, as opossed to Vicodin, when they first sent him home, and offered a tighter jock strap. They also admitted after and an ultrasound that a vein had been missed and would eventually stop bleeding, and filling the scrotum. The scrotum is a dark purple almost black. The Percocet is just taking the edge off. Is this something that he should go to a non military hospital and get this looked at? Thank you
Dear Ma'am,
Sorry to hear about your son's problem. He has developed a scrotal hematoma (blood clot in the scrotum) after the hernia surgery. This complication can occur in 3-5% patients after hernia surgery and it commonly resolves within 7-10 days. A scrotal support and pain killers help in dealing with the pain and reducing the inflammation.
Very rarely the amount of bleed can be excessive and it can even get infected. The patient in such a case runs high grade fever and there is inflammation over the scrotum. In such a case evacuation of the hematoma and pus is required.
In you son's case, it is best to monitor the condition but if he develops any symptoms of infection, it is best to rush him to a doctor.
Hoping for the best. Please feel free to clarify any other query.
Sorry to hear about your son's problem. He has developed a scrotal hematoma (blood clot in the scrotum) after the hernia surgery. This complication can occur in 3-5% patients after hernia surgery and it commonly resolves within 7-10 days. A scrotal support and pain killers help in dealing with the pain and reducing the inflammation.
Very rarely the amount of bleed can be excessive and it can even get infected. The patient in such a case runs high grade fever and there is inflammation over the scrotum. In such a case evacuation of the hematoma and pus is required.
In you son's case, it is best to monitor the condition but if he develops any symptoms of infection, it is best to rush him to a doctor.
Hoping for the best. Please feel free to clarify any other query.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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