Introduction: Patent processus vaginalis (PPV) might be incidentally diagnosed during laparoscopy. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and the natural history of PPV, i.e. its possible development into symptomatic inguinal hernia.
Inclusion criteria: children <16years undergoing laparoscopy for pathologies other than processus vaginalis (PV) related, from 10/2000-10/2005.
Exclusion criteria: past or present history of PV-related pathologies. The internal inguinal rings were documented during laparoscopy. Follow-up was provided by phone inquiry and clinical examination if needed. Median follow-up was 10.5years (range 7.1-12.8).
Results: 416 patients were included. Median age at laparoscopy was 12.4years (range 3days-18.1years). Forty-three PPV (33 unilateral, 5 bilateral) were found in 38 patients (9.1%). Four children with PPV presented later with an ipsilateral inguinal hernia (10.5%, 95%CI [3%; 25%]), at a median age of 16.0years (range 11.8-17.3), at a median of 22.5months (range 12-50) after initial laparoscopy, as compared to no patient in the population with obliterated PV (0%, 95%CI [0%; 1%]).
Conclusion: 9.1% of the observed pediatric population showed an asymptomatic PPV, and 10.5% of these children later developed an inguinal hernia. None of the children with obliterated PV developed a hernia.
Keywords: Children; Inguinal hernia; Laparoscopy; Patent processus vaginalis.
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