This study was supported by health science and technology projects in Yunnan Province (NO.2018NS0256) and training objects of medical subject leaders in Yunnan Province (NO. D-2018039)

We performed retrospective analysis of the clinical data of male patients, initially diagnosed with epididymal cysts, admitted to the urology inpatient department of the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Technology (the First People&#39;s Hospital of Yunnan Province). Written, informed consent must be obtained from patients before surgery.
1. Clinical inclusion and exclusion criteria
<ol>
	<li>Include patients who are below 45 years of age and have a need to prese...

<ol>
	<li>Jelloul, L., Billerey, C., Ait Ali Slimane, M., Mboyo, A., Aubert, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epididymal+cysts+in+adolescents.">Epididymal cysts in adolescents.</a> Annales d'Urologie. 33 (2), 104-108 (1999).</li><li>Boscarelli, A., Bellini, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epididymal+cyst+in+children.">Epididymal cyst in children.</a> European Journal of Pediatrics. 180 (9), 2723-2729 (2021).</li><li>Yong-Bao, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+efficacy+and+safety+of+scrotoscope+in+the+treatment+of+masses+in+caput+epididymidis.">The efficacy and safety of scrotoscope in the treatment of masses in caput epididymidis.</a> Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. 6 (4), 208-211 (2018).</li><li>Erikci, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Management+of+epididymal+cysts+in+childhood.">Management of epididymal cysts in childhood.</a> Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 48 (10), 2153-2156 (2013).</li><li>Zhen-Chao, L., Xing-You, Q., Rong-De, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diagnosis+value+of+high+frequency+color+doppler+ultrasound+for+epididymis+cyst.">Diagnosis value of high frequency color doppler ultrasound for epididymis cyst.</a> China Modern Medicine. 20 (3), 102-103 (2013).</li><li>Sinha, V., Shankar, M., Sardana, N., Aggarwal, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rare+case+of+epididymal+cyst+due+to+schistosomiasis.">A rare case of epididymal cyst due to schistosomiasis.</a> Cureus. 11 (9), e5755 (2019).</li><li>Mukendi, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bilateral+spontaneous+resolution.">Bilateral spontaneous resolution.</a> Clinical Case Reports. 8 (12), 2689-2691 (2020).</li><li>Patoulias, D., Kalogirou, M., Patoulias, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intraparenchymal+4+cm+in+diameter+in+a+15-year+old+male+patient;+a+case+report+and+review+of+the+literature.">Intraparenchymal 4 cm in diameter in a 15-year old male patient; a case report and review of the literature.</a> Acta Medica. 59 (4), 137-139 (2016).</li><li>Sun-Biao, L., Meng, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+analysis+of+43+epididymal+mass+patients.">Clinical analysis of 43 epididymal mass patients.</a> Fujian Medical Journal. 31 (3), 32-33 (2009).</li><li>Wang, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Treatment+for+childhood+herniorrhaphy.">Treatment for childhood herniorrhaphy.</a> Urology. 112, 80-84 (2018).</li><li>Ory, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Predictors+of+success+after+bilateral+during+vasectomy+reversal:+A+multi-institutional+analysis.">Predictors of success after bilateral during vasectomy reversal: A multi-institutional analysis.</a> Canadian Urological Association Journal. 16 (3), E132-E136 (2022).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

As we mentioned previously, epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20 to 40 years, while there is also some literature on epididymal cysts in childhood1,2. To date, the cause of epididymal cysts is not clear, and there is no specific medicine for its treatment. In addition to a few reports that epididymal cysts can resolve spontaneously without surgery7, most epididymal cysts, although their progression and enlargement are relatively sl...

Epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20-40 years old, although some literature also exists concerning epididymal cysts in childhood1,2. Previous reports have covered concerns about surgical destruction and postoperative scarring in patients undertaking nonmicroscopic epididymal cyst resection or epididymal resection3,4. Other postoperative complexes include seminal tract obstruction, immune infertility, and testicular atrophy. There is also a higher risk for postoperative occurrence, and even recurrence, of hematoma, edema, and a sustaining pain and cyst5,6. There are also reports that epididymal cysts can resolve spontaneously without surgery7. As a result, previous studies have concluded that epididymal cysts do not lead to testicular network expansion without intervention, and puncture or surgical treatment can be considered if epididymal cysts combine with testicular network expansion or damage of the proximal vas deferens2,4. Further, some investigators believe that patients with large epididymal cysts combined with pain are also suitable for surgical resection8. The treatment of epididymal cysts by puncture alone is prone to relapse. Traditional (nonmicroscopic) cyst resection or epididymectomy may destroy the epididymal canal, leading to epididymal obstruction, immune infertility, or even testicular atrophy; therefore, one should be cautious for young patients with fertility requirements2,9. Patients with childbirth plans are recommended to choose traditional (nonmicroscopic) epididymal cyst surgery as a cautionary measure. 
Microsurgical methods have been widely used in the treatment of vas deferens obstruction and epididymal obstruction, with excellent results10,11. The treatment of male epididymal cysts via microtechnology may be a beneficial option, however the necessity of extending microtechnology treatment to male epididymal cysts is questionable. We took the lead in carrying out microscopic epididymal exploration and cyst resection surgery in China. We carried out retrospective analysis of the clinical data of male patients, initially diagnosed with epididymal cysts, admitted to the urology inpatient department of the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Technology (the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province) between September 2017 and April 2019. The patients were younger than 45 years old and required fertility preservation. Based on microscopic manipulation, which largely improved visualization of the subtle tissue structures of the epididymis, the cyst could be clearly dissected apart and completely removed intact.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Ablation electrode</td>
			<td>Baisheng Medical Devices Co., Ltd. China</td>
			<td>OBS-Db</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthesia apparatus</td>
			<td>Datex-Ohmeda,Inc.USA</td>
			<td>Aespire View, Datex-Ohmeda</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Compact Anesthesia Monitor</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare Finland OY.Finland</td>
			<td>S/5 Compact</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#160;Electric knife</td>
			<td>Valleylab.USA</td>
			<td>Valleylab Force FX-8C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical (operation) microscope</td>
			<td>Lecia Microsysterms (Schweiz) AG. Germany</td>
			<td>Lecia M525 F20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

microscopic cyst resection for the treatment of patients diagnosed with epididymal cyst

Epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20-40 years old. Previous reports have covered concerns about postoperative complexes, including postoperative asoedema, hematoma, sustaining pain, and seminal tract obstruction in patients who have undertaken nonmicroscopic epididymal cyst resection or epididymal resection. Nonmicroscopic epididymal cyst surgery is suggested for patients with childbirth plans as a precaution. The treatment of male epididymal cysts via microtechnology is obviously a beneficial option; we took the lead in carrying out microscopic epididymal exploration and cyst resection surgery in China. From September 2017 to April 2021, 41 young and middle-aged male patients diagnosed with epididymal cysts underwent microtechnology treatment in a program titled &#34;microscopic epididymal exploration and cystectomy&#34;. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 3-50 months. The results confirmed that, as microscopic manipulation largely improved visualization of the subtle tissue structures of the epididymis, the cyst could be clearly dissected apart and completely removed intact under the microscope. Bleeding during the operation was significantly reduced (2-3 mL) and wound drainage was not required. According to follow-up data, microscopic treatment significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative scrotal hematoma, edema, and long-term postoperative pain, thereby promising a higher surgical success rate as well as recurrence prevention. Besides, preliminary experience and reflection suggest that microscopic epididymal exploration and cystectomy provide efficient preservation of the epididymal patency through refined treatment, while a better prognosis can be achieved. We recommend that surgery be carried out before the epididymal cyst develops to 0.8 cm in diameter, for fear that a larger epididymal cyst (&#62;0.9 cm in diameter) could cause the complete destruction of all tubules of the ipsilateral epididymis - a more severe case with damage to the testicular output network.

From September 2017 to April 2021, 41 young and middle-aged male patients diagnosed with epididymal cysts underwent microtechnology treatment in a program titled &#34;microscopic epididymal exploration and cystectomy.&#34;
Here, we show the data from a single patient as a representative example. The patient was operated on for descending surgery (testicular and epididymal exploration and microscopic cyst removal) under general anesthesia. A scrotal incision was made, the testicular sheath was ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst at JoVE.com

Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst

Here, we present a protocol to treat patients diagnosed with an epididymal cyst using microscopic cyst resection. Based on microscopic manipulation, a largely improved visualization of the subtle tissue structures of the epididymis was obtained, so the cyst could be clearly dissected apart and completely removed intact.

Epididymal cysts mostly occur in men aged 20-40 years old. Previous reports have covered concerns about postoperative complexes, including postoperative ...

Here, we present a protocol to treat patients diagnosed with an epididymal cyst using microscopic cyst resection. Based on microscopic manipulation, a largely improved visualization of the epididymis, subtle tissue structures was obtained, enabling accurate dissection and intact removal. To begin, examine the epididymal cord under 6x to 10x power magnification.Using an electric knife, cut the epididymal capsule at the base of the epididymal cyst and normal epididymal tissue. Open the epididymal capsule carefully, and avoid opening the epididymal cyst cavity. After microseparating the epididymal cyst along the cyst wall, carefully isolate the epididymal tissue surrounding the base of the epididymal cyst.Then microseparate the epididymal cyst from its base and the gap between it and the normal epididymal tissue. After occluding the epididymal tissue with a microvascular clamp or ligation with a 7 or 6-0 microsuture, excise the epididymal cyst from the base with microscissors or an electric knife. The represented data are derived from the 41 patients included in this study.All epididymal cysts were completely removed within 30 to 50 minutes of the procedure. Bleeding during the operation was significantly reduced, and wound drainage was no longer required. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 3 to 50 months.The surgical complications were assessed, and the data are shown here. No patient had a recurrence of the epididymal cyst, and no patient developed a postoperative scrotal hematoma. Only one patient had scrotal surgical site pain.According to the follow-up data, microscopic treatment significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative scrotal hematoma, edema, and long-term postoperative pain, thereby promising a higher surgical success rate and recurrence prevention. When performing this procedure, carefully dissect the separation, avoid epididymal cyst wall breakage, especially on blood epididymal cysts or large epididymal cysts with clear cystic fluid inside.

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6.5K Views.  The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province (Medical College of Kunming University of Science and Technology). Here, we present a protocol to treat patients diagnosed with an epididymal cyst using microscopic cyst resection. Based on microscopic manipulation, a largely improved visualization of the epididymis, subtle tissue structures was obtained, enabling accurate dissection and intact removal. To begin, examine the epididymal cord under 6x to 10x power magnification.Using an electric knife, cut the epididymal capsule at the base of the epididymal cyst and normal epididymal tissue. Open the e...