title: [A survey of the contralateral inguinal hernial sac in infants less than 1 year of age using laparoscopy with anatomic verification using peritoneal radiography or surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 1995 and February 1998, 91 consecutive children (78 boys, 13 girls) under the age of 1 year were operated on for a unilateral inguinal hernia. A contralateral hernia was diagnosed by a laparoscopy through the inguinal hernia sac before ligation. Results of this technique were correlated with those of herniography (79 cases) or with inguinal exploration (12 emergency).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopy was performed in 88 patients. Laparoscopy was impossible in three cases: one inguinal sac too thin, two cases of ectopic testis in the inguinal canal. Sensitivity was 73% and specificity 92%. The only complication arising from the procedure was wound infection in two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method is a simple, safe and accurate procedure in order to select children for contralateral surgical exploration.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie viscérale infantile et néonatale, hôpital d'Enfants-Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Glabeke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khairouni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larroquet
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kotobi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duocou le Pointe
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jaby
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Audry
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grapin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gruner
mesh_terms: D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012449:Safety; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors