Diagnostic pneumoperitoneum for the detection of the clinically occult contralateral hernia in children.
Publication/Presentation Date
8-1-1990
Abstract
The detection and management of occult contralateral hernia in children who present with a clinically evident unilateral hernia have evoked controversy. Routine use of herniography, intraoperative probing of the contralateral inguinal area and routine or selective exploration of the contralateral groin all have their advocates and detractors. During the last 5 years we have used intraoperative pneumoperitoneum and we report our experience in 64 patients 3 months to 9 years old. A retrospective analysis of the data revealed that pneumoperitoneum was negative in demonstrating a contralateral inguinal hernia in 59 of 64 patients (92%). Contralateral exploration was not performed in patients in whom pneumoperitoneum was negative. All 5 patients who tested positive had an indirect inguinal hernia upon contralateral exploration and all 5 were less than 3 years old. Patients who had a negative pneumoperitoneum were followed for up to 5 years and only 1 (1.8%) false negative examination was discovered. Pneumoperitoneum is a safe, effective means to evaluate the contralateral groin for occult hernia at the time of unilateral hernia repair in children.
Volume
144
Issue
2 Pt 2
First Page
510
Last Page
511
ISSN
0022-5347
Published In/Presented At
Harrison, C. B., Kaplan, G. W., Scherz, H. C., & Packer, M. G. (1990). Diagnostic pneumoperitoneum for the detection of the clinically occult contralateral hernia in children. The Journal of urology, 144(2 Pt 2), 510–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(17)39506-x
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
2374230
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article