[A survey of the contralateral inguinal hernial sac in infants less than 1 year of age using laparoscopy with anatomic verification using peritoneal radiography or surgery].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia. PATIENTS AND
METHOD: Between November 1995 and February 1998, 91 consecutive children (78 boys, 13 girls) under the age of 1 year were operated on for a unilateral inguinal hernia. A contralateral hernia was diagnosed by a laparoscopy through the inguinal hernia sac before ligation. Results of this technique were correlated with those of herniography (79 cases) or with inguinal exploration (12 emergency).
RESULTS: Laparoscopy was performed in 88 patients. Laparoscopy was impossible in three cases: one inguinal sac too thin, two cases of ectopic testis in the inguinal canal. Sensitivity was 73% and specificity 92%. The only complication arising from the procedure was wound infection in two patients.
CONCLUSION: This method is a simple, safe and accurate procedure in order to select children for contralateral surgical exploration.