ABDOMINOSCROTAL HYDROCOELES - LITTLE PLACE FOR CONSERVATISM

Abdominoscrotal hydrocoeles (ASH) are infrequently reported in childre n. The presence of bilateral ASH is even rarer, with fewer than five c ases reported to date. ASH are present at birth and tend to be progres sive in nature. Spontaneous resolution has not been documented. The pa thogenesis is uncertain and their presence in the neonatal period sugg ests a preformed abnormality of the processus vaginalis. Diagnosis is suspected on clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography, wh ich is a reliable diagnostic tool. Undescended testes frequently coexi st. Early surgery is the preferred management, and complications are f requent if left unattended. Surgery is simply an extension of a hernia operation, without the need for a laparotomy.