Ten year experience of laparoscopic repair of pediatric hydrocele and the long-term follow-up results.

Abstract

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic repair for pediatric hydroceles and its long-term follow-up results. We performed this procedure to 284 patients from 2002 to 2011 using our specially designed curved awl. The patent internal ring was enclosed and fixed under laparoscopy and fluid within the patent processus vaginalis was emptied by percutaneous needle aspiration. The median operation time was 16minutes. Fifty-seven contralateral open internal rings were diagnosed during laparoscopic exploration and closed at the same time. During our 10-year follow-up only four kids had recurrence of moderate amount of fluid accumulation 1-3months after the surgery and 3 of them spontaneously resolved during the outpatient follow-ups. Only one of them was treated by percutaneous needle aspiration successfully. No abdominal viscera injury happened. Laparoscopic hydrocele repair proved to be applicable and effective with satisfactory long-term results according to our experience.