The morphology of the contralateral internal inguinal rings is age-dependent in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.
The contralateral internal inguinal rings of 333 children were examined with a laparoscope during repair of unilateral inguinal hernia. The nonpuncture laparoscopy technique was used so that no extra wound was created. The morphology of the rings was classified as follows: type 1, flat and covered tightly with peritoneum; type 2, shallow with a visible base under an elevated peritoneal fold; type 3, deep ring that represented a patent processus vaginalis. The incidence of types 1, 2, and 3 rings was 45%, 23%, and 32%, respectively. The incidence of type 1 internal rings was similar for different age groups. The incidence of type 2 rings increased with age, and that of type 3 decreased with age. This observation is compatible with autopsy studies and the experience of contralateral exploration of childhood inguinal hernias.
Chin
T
T
Section of Pediatric Surgery, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Liu
C
C
Wei
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D020706:Laparoscopes; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000098:blood supply