[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].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: 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.

CONCLUSION

This method is a simple, safe and accurate procedure in order to select children for contralateral surgical exploration.