Abstract.
Contralateral exploration (CE) in children with a unilateral inguinal hernia (IH) is still controversial. To define the necessity of CE in unilaterally-presenting IH, all patients who had been operated upon unilaterally in a 6-year period and were followed for 4–10 years had annual evaluations for a contra-lateral IH. Comparison of the frequency of different variables was done by chi-square test. Of 650 patients aged 1 month–12 years, 521 (3.6%) developed a contralateral IH. There was no significant difference in occurrence in the different sex and age groups. There was a significant difference in the side of presentation: patients who presented with a left-sided hernia had a greater chance of developing a contralateral IH (P = 0.006). The finding of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in the literature is usually present in over 35% of cases, while the occurrence of a contralateral hernia is usually seen in less than 15% of cases. In our study this rate was also very low (3.6%). Therefore, it seems that most PPVs will close or remain asymptomatic and only a few will lead to IHs, so that routine CE does not seem justified.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nassiri, J.S. Contralateral exploration is not mandatory in unilateral inguinal hernia in children: a prospective 6-year study. Ped Surgery Int 18, 470–471 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-002-0711-9
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-002-0711-9