Objectives: Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is an apparently highly uncommon clinical entity especially in childhood, with only about 80 pediatric cases reported in the modern literature.
Methods: The incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of ASH are discussed with reference to 9 cases observed at our institution and to cases in the literature.
Results: Surgical correction was successful in all our cases and no hydrocele or hernia recurrence was registered.
Conclusions: ASH incidence appears to be higher than reported; undescended testis is a frequent association and surgical correction through an inguinal approach is always possible and curative. Ligation of the processus vaginalis may prevent recurrence.