[Evaluation of the necessity of bilateral inguinal exploration in unilateral inguinal hernia among preschool age group]

ABSTRACT

Uncertainty exists regarding the surgical approach to the contra lateral side in children who have unilateral inguinal hernia. To evaluate the necessity of bilateral inguinal exploration in unilateral inguinal hernia among preschool age group. In present study 84 children [78 boys and 6 girls] were investigated during 6 month sin 2005. Routinely, all preschool age children were subjected to contra lateral exploration when a unilateral hernia was present. All operations were carried out by a qualified pediatric surgeon. Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses, along with descriptive surgical findings were tabulated and analyzed using X[2] test. Thirty eight children [42.5%] had bilateral inguinal hernia. It was noted that children with left inguinal hernia were more likely to have a positive result [63.3% vs. 35.2%].Based on data found in our study, a bilateral exploration is necessary when unilateral inguinal hernia is present