Abstract. Concurrent contralateral inguinal exploration in children with unilateral hernia or hydrocele is a subject of debate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) using transinguinal laparoscopy (inguinoscopy). In addition, the risk factors of CPPV were evaluated in order to facilitate the selection of appropriate candidates for contralateral examination. A total of 119 patients who presented with unilateral hydrocele, inguinal hernia or cryptorchidism between 2001 and 2008 underwent inguinoscopy during the ipsilateral surgery. All data were collected prospectively. The incidence of CPPV was investigated and the risk factors affecting the presence of CPPV were analyzed. Among these patients, 29 individuals (24.4%) had CPPV confirmed by inguinoscopy. No surgical complications were observed during the inguinoscopy. Cases with suspicious ultrasound findings were at a higher risk of CPPV than cases with normal findings (odds ratio, 13.800; P=0.004). A history of contralateral disease was also found to be a significant risk factor (odds ratio, 4.008; P=0.019). The present study identified that the significant risk factors for CPPV were suspicious findings on ultrasound examination and a history of contralateral disease. Therefore, it is concluded that performing inguinoscopy in children with these risk factors is beneficial.
IntroductionConcurrent contralateral inguinal exploration in children with unilateral hernia or hydrocele is a subject of considerable debate. In 1952, Duckett reported that a contralateral hernia was present in as many as 30% of children presenting with unilateral hernias (1). In 1955, Rothenberg and Barnett recommended prophylactic contralateral exploration in all children (2). However, a meta-analysis revealed that the risk of contralateral hernia is only 5.76% (3). In addition, a previous study by the present authors found that the incidence was 9.5% (4). Therefore, it is widely considered that contralateral groin exploration is not justified in children with unilateral disease due to the low incidence of contralateral hernia and the potential for operative complications.To avoid unnecessary contralateral inguinal exploration, several preoperative diagnostic tools, such as physical examination and herniography, have been used. However, these tests have low accuracy rates and high false positive rates (5). In 1992, laparoscopy was introduced as a tool for the diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) (6). If CPPV is observed laparoscopically, the PPV can be repaired through a groin incision or laparoscopy. Transinguinal laparoscopy (inguinoscopy) has been shown to be a safe, accurate and effective method of evaluating the contralateral side (7). Regardless of the convenience and accuracy of laparoscopy, performing laparoscopy for all patients with unilateral hernia or hydrocele is unreasonable.The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of CPPV using inguinoscopy. In order to aid ...