Laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children under 1 year of age with unilateral inguinal hernia: comparison with herniography.
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) in children with unilateral inguinal hernia was evaluated.


METHODS
Ninety-three consecutive children under the age of 1 year were operated on for a unilateral inguinal hernia. A contralateral CPPV was diagnosed by laparoscopy via the inguinal hernia sac before ligation. The laparoscopy results of this technique were correlated with those of herniography or inguinal exploration.


RESULTS
Laparoscopy was performed on 88 patients; sensitivity was 71% and specificity 89%. The only complication arising from the procedure was wound infection in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This method is a simple, safe, and accurate procedure for selecting children for contralateral surgical exploration.
Van Glabeke
E
E
Service de Chirurgie Viscérale Infantile et Néonatale, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France.
Khairouni
A
A
Gall
O
O
Le Pointe
H D
HD
Jaby
O
O
Larroquet
M
M
Kotobi
H
H
Chevet
J B
JB
Audry
G
G
Gruner
M
M
D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity