Occurrence of contralateral inguinal hernia following unilateral repair in a pediatric hospital

A review of 904 unilateral hernia repairs was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario over the period of January 1985 to December 1987. Repairs were done in 758 boys and 89 girls. Repairs of 57 contralateral inguinal hernias were completed following prior unilateral repair (52 boys, 5 girls). Occurrence of contralateral hernias was 5.6% (5.7% for boys, 4.7% for girls). The relative risk in boys with right hernia following left hernia was 8.5%, whereas left hernia following right hernia was 4.3%. Neither sex nor laterality should be considered as an indicator for contralateral exploration in children with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral hernia repair.     

Contralateral groin exploration is not justified in infants with a unilateral inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: In children undergoing a unilateral inguinal herniotomy, the contralateral groin is often explored on the basis of a high incidence of patency of the processus vaginalis. The patency rate is highest in infants but there are no data on the subsequent risk of contralateral hernia development purely in this population. This was a study of the incidence of contralateral inguinal hernia following unilateral inguinal herniotomy in infancy (aged less than 1 year). METHODS: All infants who underwent a unilateral inguinal herniotomy between January 1986 and December 1991 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one infants (165 boys and 16 girls) were studied. Median gestational age was 37 (range 25-42) weeks and median age at operation was 87 (range 1-365) days. The herniotomy was right sided in 82.9 per cent of infants. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 10 years. A contralateral hernia/hydrocele developed in 14 infants (7.7 per cent). None of the hernias was incarcerated. Median time from operation to occurrence of the contralateral hernia was 18 (2-67) months. Gestational age, sex and the side of the hernia did not influence the incidence of contralateral hernia development. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of contralateral hernia development in infants undergoing a unilateral inguinal herniotomy does not justify routine contralateral groin exploration.     

A continuous debate on contralateral processus vaginalis: evaluation technique and approach to patency

We present our experience with the transinguinal diagnostic laparoscopy and discuss its efficacy in evaluating the contralateral side in unilateral inguinal hernias. The possible influence of the initial side of hernia, age and gender on recognized bilateralism were also evaluated in two study groups (diagnostic laparoscopy vs clinical diagnosis). In this retrospective study, we evaluated 36 bilateral, 158 left-sided and 303 right-sided consecutive inguinal hernia cases. A total of 211 out of 461 unilateral cases underwent hernia repair and transinguinal laparoscopic evaluation of the contralateral side. Complications and difficulties of the technique, the mean duration of laparoscopy and operative times were additionally analyzed from operation charts. In this study, bilateralism was determined by transinguinal laparoscopy in Group 1 (children with a contralateral patent processus vaginalis) and clinically in Group 2 those who had a metachronous hernia. The patients were also analyzed according to the side of the inguinal hernia, age and gender in both groups. We found an overall positive contralateral patency in 41 cases (19.4%). We failed to perform a successful diagnostic laparoscopy in six cases (2.7%). No anesthetic or surgical complications were noted. Transinguinal laparoscopy did not add any considerable time to the mean operation time. The incidence of bilateralism in Group 1 was higher in girls than boys. Clinically detected bilateralism was significantly higher in 0–6 month age group and contralateral patency detected via laparoscopy was high in all other age groups. We may conclude that transinguinal diagnostic laparoscopy is a feasible technique in children. We advocate its use as a tool with minimal complication risk even in the hands of novice.     

Long-term follow-up of pediatric open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

BackgroundPediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is not widely accepted.Study designChildren 0–14 years who underwent inguinal hernia repair during 2010–2016 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California were classified into five groups: (1) open unilateral repair without contralateral exploration; (2) open unilateral repair with contralateral laparoscopic exploration (“open + explore”); (3) open bilateral repair; (4) laparoscopic unilateral repair; and (5) laparoscopic bilateral repair. Outcomes included ipsilateral reoperation, metachronous contralateral repair, incision time, and complications.ResultsThe study included 1697 children. Follow-up averaged 3.6 years after open (N = 1156) and 2.6 years after laparoscopic (N = 541) surgery. Metachronous contralateral repair was performed in 3.8% (26/683) of patients with open unilateral surgery without contralateral exploration, 0.7% (2/275) of open + explore patients, and 0.9% (3/336) of laparoscopic unilateral patients (p < 0.01). Ipsilateral repair was performed in 0.8% (10/1156) of open repairs and 0.3% (2/541) of laparoscopic repairs. Chart review confirmed 5 postoperative infections in 1156 patients with open surgery (0.43%) and 6 infections in 541 patients with laparoscopic surgery (1.11%) (p = 0.11).ConclusionOur study's laparoscopic and open approaches have similar low ipsilateral reoperation rates, incision times, and complications. The use of laparoscopy to visualize the contralateral side resulted in a significantly lower rate of metachronous contralateral repair.Level of evidenceLevel III.     

Incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with inguinal hernia

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.     

Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair Versus Open Repair in Boys with Inguinal Hernia: A Meta-Analysis

ObjectivePediatric inguinal hernia is a common surgical problem in boys. Open hernia repair surgery (OH) has been traditionally used to treat this condition, but it leads to complications, such as testicular complications. Laparoscopic hernia repair by using the extraperitoneal method (LHE) is performed through the percutaneous insertion of sutures and extracorporeal closure of patent vaginalis processus; thus, injury to spermatic cord structures is avoided. However, a meta-analysis comparing LHE and OH is lacking.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of the retrieved studies was performed, and a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect size. The primary outcome was testicular complications, including ascending testis, hydrocele, and testicular atrophy. The secondary outcomes were surgical metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH), ipsilateral hernia recurrence, and operation time.ResultsIn total, 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 20 non-RCTs involving 17,555 boys were included. The incidence of ascending testis (risk ratio [RR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.78; p = 0.008) and MCIH (RR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.07–0.43; p = 0.0002) was significantly lower in LHE than in OH. The incidence of hydrocele, testicular atrophy, and ipsilateral hernia recurrence did not differ between LHE and OH.ConclusionCompared with OH, LHE led to fewer or equivalent testicular complications without increasing ipsilateral hernia recurrence. Moreover, MCIH incidence was lower in LHE than in OH. Hence, LHE could be a feasible choice with less invasiveness for inguinal hernia repair in boys.Level of EvidenceTreatment study, LEVEL III.     

Laparoscopic repair on asymptomatic contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia: A centre experience and review of the literature

Purpose: We investigate the prevalence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) in children presenting with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia under diagnostic laparoscopy and its implication on contralateral surgery. Methods: Over a 24‐month period, 79 children (66 boys, 13 girls) aged 1 month to 8 years with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic hernia repair. Twenty‐nine patients (36.7%) were under 24 months of age and 45 (57.0%) presented with right inguinal hernia. The contralateral internal inguinal ring was evaluated for CPPV. Bilateral repairs were carried out if CPPV was present. Results: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic CPPV was 39.2% in children who presented with unilateral inguinal hernia. The prevalence of asymptomatic CPPV was 48.3% for children aged under 24 months old and 26.0% in children above 24 months old (P = 0.044). CPPV was present in 52.9% of left‐side hernia under laparoscopy and in 28.9% of right‐side hernia (P = 0.030). Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic CPPV under laparoscopy is nearly twice the reported incidence of symptomatic contralateral hernia development after conventional unilateral herniotomy. Further studies on the natural history of CPPV are necessary to determine the indications for repair of asymptomatic CPPV.     

Is the use of laparoscopy to determine presence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis justified in children greater than 2 years of age?

Purpose

Contralateral inguinal hernia exploration in cases of unilateral inguinal hernia remains a controversial topic. The authors have been using the in-line laparoscopic technique of contralateral evaluation for unilateral inguinal hernia in children less than 2 years of age. Because of the case of the procedure and lack of morbidity, we decided to expand the use of this procedure up to age 8 years in January 2000. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the incidence of contralateral hernia in children greater than 2 years justifies the procedure.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of all children who underwent contralateral exploration for unilateral inguinal exploration over a 20-month period. The procedure was offered routinely to all patients up to age 8 years. During the repair, the contralateral inguinal ring was examined laparoscopically using the in-line technique for the presence of a contralateral hernia. The incidence of contralateral hernia was determined, and the results were stratified by age. Patients who underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair without laparoscopic contralateral exploration or bilateral inguinal hernia repair without laparoscopic contralateral explorations were excluded from the study.

Results

A total of 284 laparoscopic explorations were performed. Positive explorations were seen in 65 of 171 (38%) of children less than 2 years of age, 19 of 101 (20%) of children 2 to 8 years of age, and 1 of 12 children greater than 8 years of age (8%). There were no operative complications.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic contralateral exploration is safe and effective. Because of the low morbidity, the risk to benefit ratio warrants its use in children up to 8 years of age. This sample size is too small to make any meaningful statement in children older than 8 years.     

Laparoscopic exploration for the clinically undetected hernia in infancy and childhood

BACKGROUND: Routine contralateral groin exploration in infants and children with a clinically detected inguinal hernia is the subject of much debate. The detection of a patent processus vaginalis by transinguinal laparoscopy has proven advantageous. However, controversy remains regarding the true incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis as well as which of these will actually develop into a clinically apparent hernia. METHODS: From January 1997 through December 1999, 358 infants and children (aged 1 to 157 months, mean 32) were treated in the three University of Oklahoma teaching hospitals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for inguinal hernia. The findings at laparoscopic exploration of the contralateral side were recorded to determine the incidence of contralateral patency as it relates to a child's age, gender, and side of the initial clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of a patent processus vaginalis on contralateral examination was 33% (117 of 358). All patent processus vaginalis were repaired. Bilateral inguinal hernia was significantly more common in younger patients (present in 50% if less than 1 year, 45% if less than 2 years, 37% if less than 5 years, and 15% if greater than 5 years of age; P <0.05). In boys, the incidence was 49%, 45%, and 32% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. In girls, the incidence was 59%, 50%, and 37% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. The side of the clinically detected hernia did not influence the laparoscopic findings of a contralateral hernia with 30% (50 of 169) positive findings on left inguinal exploration versus 31% (28 of 90) positive findings on right inguinal exploration. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis warrants routine laparoscopic exploration in infants and children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair, especially those less than 5 years of age. The use of transinguinal laparoscopic explorations avoids unnecessary open exploration in 66% of infants and children undergoing inguinal hernia repair.     

Evidence-based change of practice in the management of unilateral inguinal hernia

Purpose

Contralateral inguinal exploration in children with unilateral inguinal hernia is still controversial. Only 20% of patients with patent processus vaginalis would develop a clinically apparent hernia [Miltenburg DM, Nutctern JG, Jaksic Tkozinetz CA. Meta-analysis of the risk of metachronous hernia in infants and children. Am J Surg 1997;174:741-4]. In 1999, our unit changed the practice of performing routine contralateral inguinal exploration of male children younger than 2 years and female children younger than 5 years to inguinal herniotomy of the symptomatic side only based on a meta-analysis published by Miltenburg et al [Meta-analysis of the risk of metachronous hernia in infants and children. Am J Surg 1997;174:741-4]. We explored the contralateral inguinal area only in babies with a history of prematurity.

Methods

A prospective study of patients subjected to unilateral inguinal herniotomy from 1999 to 2001 was performed. Age, sex, side of the hernia, and incarceration at presentation were recorded. The incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia (MIH) and its risk factors were analyzed. The follow-up ranged from 36 to 72 months.

Results

Of the 409 patients who presented with inguinal hernia, 264 underwent unilateral inguinal herniotomy. The rest were either children with bilateral inguinal hernia or premature babies who were offered bilateral inguinal herniotomy. Of these 264 patients, 180 (68%) had right-sided inguinal hernia and 84 (32%) had left-sided inguinal hernia. Fourteen (5%) patients subsequently presented with MIH. Of these 14 patients, 8 were younger than 2 years at the initial presentation and 11 originally presented with left-sided inguinal hernia. No female child presented with MIH. Twelve (85%) re-presentations with MIH occurred within 1 year of the original operation.

Conclusions

The treatment of only the symptomatic inguinal hernia has not significantly increased the incidence of MIH. This evidence-based change of practice has avoided 152 operations in 264 patients. Presentation with incarceration and age at presentation have no significant impact on the incidence of MIH. Left-sided presentation has a statistically significant high incidence of MIH.     

Contralateral exploration for unilateral inguinal hernia in females: risk factors and surgical findings

Background  Controversy continues over the need to explore the asymptomatic contralateral groin in girls with unilateral inguinal hernia. The aim of this study is to identify the incidence and risk factors of developing a contralateral inguinal hernia. Materials and methods  Between July 1997 and July 2006, 364 consecutive girls aged between 1 month and 8 years with unilateral inguinal hernia underwent surgical exploration of the contralateral inguinal side. Inclusion criteria were created. After collection of the surgical findings, the authors analysed the correlation between the patients’ medical history and the incidence of contralateral inguinal hernias. The patients were then divided into eight groups following an age range grouping. Results  One hundred and eighteen patients were enrolled in this study, 74 with right-side inguinal hernia and 44 with left-side inguinal hernia. About 47.4% of these patients showed contralateral true inguinal hernias, 38% right-sided and 63% left-sided hernias. There was no correlation between medical history, age at surgery and the presence of contralateral inguinal hernia. Conclusions  Although the results of this study are in contrast with many other studies in the literature, the authors came to the conclusion that contralateral exploration should be routinely performed in girls with inguinal hernia until they reach 4 years of age.     

Is contralateral exploration necessary in girls with unilateral inguinal hernia?

Background/Purpose: Routine contralateral groin exploration in girls with unilateral inguinal hernia (UIH) continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of contralateral hernia development in girls after UIH repair. Methods: Between 1972 and 2000, 391 girls underwent repair of UIH. Ninety-one (23%) of the 391 girls underwent routine contralateral exploration during UIH repair and were excluded from the study. The median age at operation in the remaining 300 girls was 3.3 years (range, 1 month to 14 years). Two hundred ten (70%) girls had right-sided and 90 (30%) had left-sided UIH. Familial history of hernia was identified in 8 (3%) patients. The follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 14 years. Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison. Results: A contralateral hernia developed in 24 (8%) of the 300 patients who had unilateral repair of inguinal hernia. Median time from operation to occurrence of the contralateral hernia was 3 years (range, 1 to 4 years). Age at operation, side of hernia, and familial history did not influence the development of contralateral hernia. Conclusions: These data suggest that the low incidence of contralateral hernia development in girls undergoing UIH repair does not justify routine contralateral groin exploration. J Pediatr Surg 38:756-757. [copy ] 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.     

Risk of contralateral manifestation in children with unilateral inguinal hernia: should hernia in children be treated contralaterally?

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify risk factors for metachronous manifestation of contralateral inguinal hernia in patients with unilateral inguinal hernia. METHODS: Characteristics of 156 patients with metachronous contralateral hernia were compared with those of 156 patients with unilateral hernia who were ascertained not to have presented with contralateral hernia. RESULTS: There was a tendency for the hernia to be more often on the left side in 88 of 156 patients (56.4%) with contralateral manifestation compared with 70 of 156 patients (44.9%) in the control group (P =.054). The age at hernia repair of the patients with contralateral manifestation, 1 to 120 months (median, 14 months), was significantly younger than the 1 to 149 months (median, 20 months) of the control patients (P =.016). More patients with contralateral manifestation had a family history of inguinal hernia, and the percentage, 24.4%, was significantly higher than the 14.7% in the control group (P =.046). A univariate analysis with the Cox regression models found that hernia on the left side and a positive family history were significantly associated with the metachronous manifestation of contralateral hernia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; P =. 037 and HR, 1.59; P =.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: The risk of metachronous manifestation of contralateral hernia is high in patients with left-side hernia and in those with a family history, and the incidence of contralateral hernia is at most 10% in these patients. The authors think that the incidence is still too low to justify routine exploration and surgery for a patent processus vaginalis. Contralateral exploration should therefore be reserved for high-risk patients in whom second anesthesia and surgery have to be avoided.     

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the pediatric age group—experience with 437 children

Background/Purpose

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of pediatric patients that underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Material and methods

A retrospective review was performed of the prospectively collected data of 576 laparoscopic internal ring closures in 437 children (age, 30 days-11 years; median, 1.9 years) from June 1999 to February 2009. The internal ring was closed with a 3-0 nonabsorbable suture. Both extracorporeal and intracorporeal methods of knotting were used. All patients were asked to return at 1 week and 6 weeks postoperatively for routine follow-up.

Results

A contralateral patent processus vaginalis was present in 13% (45/352) of boys and 15% (12/83) of girls on the right side, and 7% (25/352) of boys and 6% (5/83) of girls on the left side. Follow-up range was from 1 week postoperatively to 108 months. There were 14 recurrences (2.4 % [14/576], 11 in boys and on the right side and 3 in girls) and 2 hydroceles 0.35% (2/576). Mean operating time was 23 minutes for unilateral and 29 minutes for bilateral inguinal hernia. There was neither metachronus hernia nor testicular atrophy observed during follow-up.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is technically easier, as there is no need to dissect the vas deferens and vessels. The risk of metachronous hernia is reduced, and we believe the cosmetic result is better. Although recurrences were more common early in the series, currently they are much less frequent. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair appears to have less morbidity than open herniotomy and can be used as routine procedure in the pediatric age group.     

The role of laparoscopic evaluation to detect a contralateral defect at initial presentation for inguinal hernia repair

Our objective was to determine the accuracy of laparoscopic evaluation to detect a contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) at initial presentation for inguinal hernia (IH) repair and the rate of CPPV relative to age, sex, and initial hernia side. We performed a 5-year retrospective review of 1580 pediatric patients with unilateral IH in which surgeons selectively used laparoscopy to evaluate for a CPPV. There were 1205 boys and 303 girls; 980 (65%) presented with right IH (RIH) and 528 (35%) with left IH (LIH). Laparoscopic evaluation was performed in 459 (47%) patients presenting with RIH and 225 (43%) patients presenting with LIH. Laparoscopic evaluation was positive for CPPV in 32 per cent of patients with RIH and 42 per cent of patients with LIH (P = 0.0168). CPPV was associated with prematurity (P = 0.0003) and age younger than 6 months (P = 0.0001) but not with sex (P = 0.55). The future contralateral occurrence rate was 1.6 per cent and recurrence rate 0.2 per cent. This study supports the accuracy of CPPV evaluation by laparoscopy. Although the rate of CPPV decreases after 6 months of age, girls older than 2 years of age have a significantly higher rate of CPPV than boys, supporting laparoscopic evaluation in older girls.     

Are there any predictive factors of metachronous inguinal hernias in children with unilateral inguinal hernia?

Purpose  

This study was done to identify risk factors for metachronous manifestation of contralateral inguinal hernia in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.     

经皮腹膜外疝囊高位结扎术治疗小儿单侧腹股沟疝的疗效 及对侧鞘状突未闭探查的意义

目的:探讨经皮腹膜外疝囊高位结扎术(LPEC)治疗小儿单侧腹股沟疝的疗效,及术中腹腔镜探查有无对侧鞘状突未闭(CPPV)对预防对侧异时性疝(MCH)的作用。方法:回顾性分析2013年1月—2014年12月161例行LPEC的单侧腹股沟疝患儿临床资料(观察组),并以2010年1月—2012年12月252例行开放疝囊修补术的单侧腹股沟疝患儿为历史对照(对照组),观察组同时行对侧腹股沟区探查,如诊断CPPV,均行结扎术,对照组不行对侧腹股沟内环口区探查。分析两组术后并发症、复发疝及MCH情况,并分析MCH的影响因素。结果:两组术后并发症与复发疝发生率的差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05),全组共发生MCH 13例,其中观察组1例,对照组12例,差异有统计学意义(0.6%vs.4.8%,P0.05),且对照组9例(3.6%)发生在术后24个月内。观察组术中共发现CPPV 62例(38.5%),且在0.5~2岁组发生率达59.0%(23/39),随年龄增长发生率逐渐下降。对照组中早产儿MCH发生率高于足月儿(3.6%vs.1.2%,P0.05)。总体分析显示,MCH主要发生于4岁以内的行开放手术的男性右侧腹股沟疝患儿。结论:LPEC治疗小儿单侧腹股沟疝的疗效确切,且腹腔镜下探查CPPV可明显降低MCH的发生率,尤其对于有早产和年龄4岁的患儿尤为重要。     

Prospective nationwide analysis of laparoscopic versus Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: According to a Cochrane review, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair compares favourably with open mesh repair, but few data exist from surgical practice outside departments with a special interest in hernia surgery. This study compared nationwide reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair, adjusting for factors predisposing to recurrence. METHODS: Some 3606 consecutive laparoscopic repairs were compared with 39 537 Lichtenstein repairs that were prospectively recorded in a nationwide registry between 1998 and 2003. Patients were subgrouped according to type of hernia: primary or recurrent and unilateral or bilateral. Overall reoperation rates and 95 per cent confidence intervals were calculated. Long-term reoperation rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The overall reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair of unilateral primary indirect hernia (0 versus 1.0 per cent), primary direct hernia (1.1 versus 3.1 per cent), unilateral recurrent hernia (4.6 versus 4.8 per cent) and bilateral recurrent hernia (2.6 versus 7.6 per cent) did not differ. However, laparoscopic repair of a bilateral primary hernia was associated with a higher reoperation rate than Lichtenstein repair (4.8 versus 3.0 per cent) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair compared favourably with Lichtenstein repair for primary indirect and direct hernias, and unilateral and bilateral recurrent hernias, but was inferior for primary bilateral hernias.     

Recherche du sac herniaire inguinal controlatéral chez le nourrisson de moins de 1 an par laparoscopie avec vérification anatomique par péritonéographie ou chirurgie

Study aimThe aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.Patients and methodBetween 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).ResultsLaparoscopy 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.ConclusionThis method is a simple, safe and accurate procedure in order to select children for contralateral surgical exploration.