BACKGROUND: It has been reported that bilateral pediatric inguinal hernias (PIH) are around 10% and that a late contralateral herniorrhapy is needed in up to 34% of ipsilateral operations. However, clinical prediction of the contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is difficult. The aims of this study were to measure the mean diameter of the internal inguinal ring (IIR) of the PIH at rest and during straining and to define the diagnostic criterion for positive contralateral PIH (or PPV) by using ultrasonography (USG). METHODS: The diameters of both ipsilateral and contralateral IIRs at rest and during straining were measured preoperatively by USG in 104 consecutive pediatric patients (75 male, 29 female; mean age of 3 years) who had undergone an ipsilateral herniorrhaphy with contralateral exploration from March 1997 to December 1997. Fifty-seven right inguinal hernias (RIH), 43 left inguinal hernias (LIH), and 4 bilateral inguinal hernias were enrolled. The contralateral PPV was defined as a sac greater than 3 mm in diameter and longer than 2 cm in length measured intraoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed by using the t-test and the chi-square test. RESULTS: Contralateral exploration showed positive PPV in 44% of RIH and 47% of LIH (p>0.05). In RIH, the mean diameter of right IIR (RIIR) was wider than that of left IIR (LIIR) (5.02+/-0.27 mm vs 2.94+/-0.12 mm at rest and 7.50+/-0.52 mm vs. 3.82+/-0.23 mm during straining, p<0.01), and the difference in diameters between straining and rest were also significant (2.38+/-0.37 mm in RIIR and 0.76+/-0.14 mm in LIIR, p<0.01). In LIH, the mean diameter of LIIR was wider than that of RIIR (4.59+/-0.27 mm vs. 3.13+/-0.19 mm at rest, 6.82+/-0.43 mm vs. 3.61+/-0.26 mm during straining, p<0.01). The diameter difference between straining and rest of LIIR and RIIR were also significant (2.17+/-0.28 mm in LIIR, 0.60+/-0.12 mm in RIIR, p<0.01). Cases of positive contralateral PPVs in RIH had significantly wider LIIRs than those of negative PPV (3.5+/-0.16 mm vs. 2.5+/-0.14 mm at rest and 4.70+/-0.32 mm vs. 2.97+/-0.20 mm during straining, p<0.01). The difference of diameter between strainingand rest of positive and negative PPVs were significant (1.16+/-0.25 mm and 0.38+/-0.09 mm, respectively, p<0.01). Cases of positive contralateral PPVs in LIH had wider RIIRs than those of negative PPV significantly (3.83+/-0.27 mm vs. 2.52+/-0.18 mm at rest and 4.58+/-0.38 mm vs. 2.68+/-0.19 mm during straining, p<0.01). The diameter difference between straining and rest of positive and negative PPVs was significant (0.93+/-0.21 mm and 0.3+/- 0.09 mm, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In most negative PPVs, the diameter of the IIR did not exceed 3.0 mm. Therefore, contralateral IIR with diameters wider than 3.0 mm and diameters of difference more than 1.0 mm between straining and rest, as determined by using USG need to be explored.
Female ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal* ; Male ; Ultrasonography

Anomalous presence of fully developed female reproductive organs in the inguinal canal is extremely rare. But, early recognition and reduction of an ovary is thought to be important to prevent strangulation of the hernia and necrosis of the ovary. Ultrasound scan diagnose positively the presence of ovaries in the majority of cases. So we advise ultrasound scan must be performed routinely in those female with inguinal hernia. We experienced a case of inguinal hernia of ovary and fallopian tube in a fully developed adult woman. So we present it with a brief review of literature.
Adult* ; Fallopian Tubes* ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Necrosis ; Ovary* ; Ultrasonography

Between March 1999 and January 2000, 82 boys with the diagnosis of inguinal hernias (12 bilateral and 70 unilateral hernias), underwent Ultrasound (US) examination of both sides of the groin, a total of 164 inguinal imaging prior to surgery. The patients ages ranged from 3 days to 12 years with a mean of 32.6 months. Ninty four examinations were on the clinically symptomatic side and 70 were on the asymptomatic side. The US criteria for the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia were as follows: 1) visceral hernia, the presence of bowel loops, or omentum in the inguinal canal, 2) communicating hydrocele, the presence of fluid in the processus vaginalis, 3) widening of patent processus vaginalis at the level of nternal inguinal ring. The width of patent processus vaginalis at the level of internal inguinal ring over 4 mm is onsidered an occult hernia. Among the 94 symptomatic groins, US findings showed 31 (33 %) visceral hernias, 18 (19 %) communicating hydroceles, and 38 (41 %) widening of the internal inguinal ring, and 7 (7 %) groins without abnormalities. In 70 asymptomatic groins, there were 4 (6 %) visceral hernias, 5 (7 %) communicating hydroceles, 11 (16 %) widening of the internal inguinal ring, and 50 (70 %) groins without abnormalities. Among the 70 asymptomatic groins there were US abnormalities in 20 (28 %). One hundred and seven groins with positive US findings were surgically explored. Among 107 operated sites, the operative findings were compatible with the US diagnosis in 104, a sensitivity for US of 97.2 %. In patients with US findings of widening of internal inguinal ring (>4 mm), there was patent processus vaginalis in 36 out of 38 symptomatic groins and 10 of 11 asymptomatic groins. The sensitivity of US to the operative findings in widening of internal inguinal ring was 93.8 %. For visceral hernia and communicating hydrocele, the sensitivity of positive US findings was 100 %. Ultrasonography for inguinal hernias appears to be a rapid, reliable, and noninvasive screening diagnostic tool with high positive specificity. Therefore, we recommend the use of US as a routine diagnostic tool in pediatric patients with inguinal hernias and hydroceles.
Diagnosis ; Groin ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Mass Screening ; Omentum ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To describe the sonographic findings of inguinal herniation of the ovary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five girls aged 1-12 (mean, 4.7) months with a groin mass underwent sonographic examination, and in seven of the 45, inguinal herniation of the ovary was detected, and confirmed at surgery. Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic examinations were performed to evaluate the size, echo pattern, and blood flow of the mass. Sonography of the pelvis and contralateral groin was also performed. RESULTS: In all seven cases, sonography revealed an oval-shaped complex mass 15-25 mm in maximal diameter and composed of heterogeneous hypoechoic portions and one to seven small internal cysts, each 2-9 mm in diameter. Blood flow was observed in all cases, though was subtly decreased in one. In two there was associated herniation of the salpinx, and in two others, incarceration. In four, contralateral inguinal hernia was present. CONCLUSION: Sonographic findings of an oval-shaped heterogeneous hypoechoic mass with internal small cysts, present in the groin, indicate inguinal herniation of the ovary.
Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Groin ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Humans ; Ovary* ; Pelvis ; Ultrasonography*

Herniation of the appendix into an inguinal canal is known as an Amyand hernia. Due to its nonspecific symptoms, clinical diagnosis is extremely difficult, and an accurate preoperative diagnosis of Amyand hernia with ultrasound (US) and CT is rarely reported. Herein, we reported a typical case of Amyand hernia in a 74-year-old male in which the correct diagnosis was made using inguinal US and contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT. US and CT findings of Amyand hernia showed a target-like tubular structure within the inguinal canal.
Aged ; Appendix ; Diagnosis ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Male ; Ultrasonography*

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of diagnostic sonography in pediatric patients with inguinal hernias. The patients were classified into two groups. Group A included the patients who had been operated upon for inguinal hernia in 1980's, when diagnostic sonography was not available. Group B included the patients, operated upon for inguinal hernia from 2001 to 2002, when inguinal sonography was employed to detect potential bilateral hernias. The age distribution, sex ratio, laterality, bilaterality, and concomitant symptoms were compared between group A and group B. There were 296 cases in group A and 377 cases in group B. The prevalent age group was from 1 to 5 years. There was no difference in age group distribution between both groups. The male to female ratio was 5.3:1 in group A and 3.5:1 in group B. The ratio of unilateral to bilateral hernia was 5:1 in group A and 3:1 in group B. In cases with a unilateral hernia, the ratio of right to left was 1.5:1 in group A and 1.8:1 in group B. In cases with bilateral hernia, the simultaneous bilateral hernia was 33 cases (67.4 %) in group A and 75 cases (80.6 %) in group B. The sequential bilateral hernia was 16 cases (32.7 %) in group A and 18 cases (19.4 %) in group B. Although the ratio of bilateral hernia was increased in group B, the portion of the sequential bilateral hernia was significantly decreased in group B. In conclusion, there were no differences in the age distribution and the laterality between group A and B. The ratio of female patients and the incidence of bilateral hernia were increased in group B even though the portion of the sequential bilateral hernia was decreased. This result shows that the preoperative inguinal sonography in unilateral hernia with potential bilateral hernia is useful in early detection of the sequential contralateral hernia.
Age Distribution ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the ultrasonographic findings of ovary-containing hernias of the canal of Nuck. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 22 hernia cases of the canal of Nuck. The following gray scale and color Doppler ultrasonographic features were analyzed: the site and the size of the hernia, the texture of the hernia contents, and the presence or absence of blood flow in the hernia contents. RESULTS: All of the patients had swelling of the right inguinal region (n=10), left inguinal region (n=8), or both (n=2). On ultrasonography, the hernias appeared as either solid masses (n=17) or solid masses containing cysts (n=5). The mean anteroposterior diameter of the hernia sac of the canal of Nuck was 9.1 mm (range, 5 to 18 mm). The mean anteroposterior diameters of the hernia sac were 11.6 mm (range, 7.6 to 18 mm) for hernias containing an ovary, and 8.3 mm (range, 5 to 13 mm) for hernias containing omental fat. During surgery, among the 17 cases with solid-appearing hernia contents on ultrasonography, omental fat was identified in the hernia sac in four cases, but no structure was identified in 13 cases. All five cases that appeared as solid masses containing cysts on ultrasonography contained ovary tissue in the hernia sac. Among the four cases of ovary-containing hernias, color Doppler ultrasonography identified blood flow within the ovary in three cases, but no flow signal was seen in one case of incarcerated hernia. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography may be helpful for the diagnosis of ovary-containing hernias of the canal of Nuck by detecting solid masses containing small cysts.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Ovary ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Inguinal hernia is the most frequent problem requiring surgery in children. Moreover, subsequent contralateral occurrence after repair of the symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia(UIH) is not rare. This study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of inguinal ultrasonography (IUS) for potential bilateral inguinal hernia(BIH). A prospective study was performed for preschool children less than 6 years of age who were diagnosed as UIH from July 1999 to December 2000. We selected 58 cases with potential BIH, based on the past history, such as prematurity, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, family history of BIH, hernia on the left side (LIH), age below 2, female, and contralateral positive silk glove sign on the physical examination. Screening with IUS and bilateral surgical exploration were applied on these cases. Forty-seven cases were males (81.0%) and 11 cases were females(19.0%). Thirty-four were infants. Symptomatic right inguinal hernia (RIH) were 28 (48.3%), and LIH were 30 cases (51.7%). Six cases had no evidence of contralateral patent process vaginalis (PPV) by IUS but showed contralateral PPV by operation, Two cases were suspicious to contralateral PPV under IUS, but operative findings were negative. Fifty cases showed contralateral PPV by IUS as well as operation. The detection rate of contralateral PPV under IUS was 86.2%. The preoperative IUS may reduce contralateral exploration.
Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Physical Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Silk ; Ultrasonography* ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

PURPOSE: Seroma is among the most common complications of laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) for especially large indirect inguinal hernia, and may be regarded as a recurrence by some patients. A potential area localized behind the mesh and extending from the inguinal cord into the scrotum may be one of the major etiological factors of this complication. Our aim is to describe a novel technique in preventing pseudorecurrence by using fibrin sealant to close that potential dead space. METHODS: Forty male patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP for indirect inguinal hernia with at least 100-mL volume were included in this prospective clinical study. While fibrin sealant was used to close the potential dead space in the study group, nothing was used in the control group. The volume of postoperative fluid collection on ultrasound was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Patient characteristics and the volumes of hernia sac were similar between the 2 groups. The mean volume of postoperative fluid collection was found as 120.2 mL in the control group and 53.7 mL in the study group, indicating a statistical significance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Minimizing the potential dead space with a fibrin sealant can reduce the amount of postoperative fluid collection, namely the incidence of pseudorecurrence.
Clinical Study ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Scrotum ; Seroma ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Seroma is among the most common complications of laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) for especially large indirect inguinal hernia, and may be regarded as a recurrence by some patients. A potential area localized behind the mesh and extending from the inguinal cord into the scrotum may be one of the major etiological factors of this complication. Our aim is to describe a novel technique in preventing pseudorecurrence by using fibrin sealant to close that potential dead space. METHODS: Forty male patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP for indirect inguinal hernia with at least 100-mL volume were included in this prospective clinical study. While fibrin sealant was used to close the potential dead space in the study group, nothing was used in the control group. The volume of postoperative fluid collection on ultrasound was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Patient characteristics and the volumes of hernia sac were similar between the 2 groups. The mean volume of postoperative fluid collection was found as 120.2 mL in the control group and 53.7 mL in the study group, indicating a statistical significance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Minimizing the potential dead space with a fibrin sealant can reduce the amount of postoperative fluid collection, namely the incidence of pseudorecurrence.
Clinical Study ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Scrotum ; Seroma ; Ultrasonography