TRANSINGUINAL DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY IN PEDIATRIC INGUINAL-HERNIA

The decision of the surgeon whether to explore the opposite groin in a child with an inguinal hernia remains controversial, Numerous techniq ues have been used to determine the need for contralateral repair, Two groups of patients underwent transinguinal diagnostic laparoscopy at the time of herniorrhaphy to assess the contralateral groin, Of 20 pat ients older than 24 months, only 1 (5%) was found to have a patent pro cessus vaginalis, In a group of 21 patients ranging from 2 to 24 month s, 9 (42.9%) were found to have a contralateral patent processus vagin alis, Twelve patients had a closed or slit-like peritoneum at the inte rnal ring, Transinguinal diagnostic laparoscopy can be used to identif y which children may benefit from contralateral exploration, as well a s those in whom surgery can be avoided.