Abstract
Routine contralateral inguinal exploration following unilateral herniorrhaphy in children remains controversial. Contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) incidence decreases from 80% in young infants to about 20% to 30% in the adult population. However, the incidence of a clinical hernia appearing subsequently following unilateral herniorrhaphy is 6% to 10%. Fifty consecutive children were evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) at the time of inguinal herniorrhaphy. The mean age was 3 years. Thirteen of 42 patients (31%) with a symptomatic confirmed hernia had a contralateral PPV by DL. The mean operating time was 48 minutes. The sensitivity was 98% with a specificity of 100%. No child suffered a complication due to DL. We found diagnostic laparoscopy in children with evidence of unilateral inguinal hernia (1) was safe, (2) revealed a 31% incidence of contralateral PPV, and (3) eliminated the need for contralateral exploration in 69%.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
