Usefulness of Preoperative Ultrasonography in diagnosis of the Contralateral Inguinal Hernias in Children

Abstract

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is among the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons, the surgical management of the contralateral groin remains controversial. Aim of the Work: to verify the usefulness of preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) at the level of the internal inguinal ring. This cohort study included 150 patients presented to our hospital with unilateral inguinal hernia for herniotomy underwent preoperative ultrasonography detecting diameter of patent processus vaginalis at internal ring with follow up period of 6 months to contralateral side whether the contralateral side will be with evident inguinal hernia need herniotomy or non evident hernia for more follow up period. Results: During follow up of 6 months to contralateral sides patients come with evident hernia were 15 (10%), with median age (1.5years), whereas those with non evident hernia were 135 (90%). Conclusion: ultrasonography plays an effective role in identifying the patent processus vaginalis in patients come with unilateral inguinal hernia and that could reduce the incidence of metachronous hernia by preoperative check, avoiding ascend anaesthia, minimizing parental and patient inconvenience, avoiding the chance of incarceration, reducing costs , decrease un needed contralateral side exploration that accompanied with many complications and It could become an alternative to routine laparoscopic hernia repair in children