Obliterated processus vaginalis diagnosed by intraoperative laparoscopy is unlikely to develop into a clinical hernia.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to evaluate if a subsequent inguinal hernia would occur in the contralateral obliterated processus vaginalis shown by intraoperative laparoscopic examination.


METHODS
From July, 1993 to February, 1994, 120 patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia were identified as obliterated processus vaginalis by intraoperative laparoscopic examination of the contralateral internal ring when they received unilateral herniorrhaphy. A five-year follow-up of the contralateral side to determine the rate of subsequent inguinal hernia was carried out during an outpatient clinic check-up or by telephone contact.


RESULTS
One patient, among the first few patients having laparoscopic examinations, had a subsequent contralateral inguinal hernia. Two patients had hydroceles and each of the operative findings was a communicating hydrocele that could not possibly develop into a clinical hernia.


CONCLUSIONS
It is unlikely for an obliterated processus vaginalis indicated by intraoperative laparoscopic examination to become a clinical inguinal hernia.
Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
C
C
Liu
T
T
Chin
C
C
Wei
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male