Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in children with inguinal hernia using direct laparoscopic inspection.
Methods: This study evaluates the incidence and size of contralateral PPVs in 143 children (96 boys, 47 girls) with clinically unilateral indirect inguinal hernia who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair. During repair, the contralateral internal inguinal ring was evaluated for PPV.
Results: Boys with hernias on the right side had wide-open contralateral PPVs in 26% of cases compared with 11% in girls. Boys with hernias on the left side had wide-open contralateral PPVs in 30% of cases compared with 38% in girls. In all 4 groups, there were small contralateral openings in 15% to 20% of cases.
Conclusion: Contralateral PPV seems to occur less commonly than previously assumed.
Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.