Pediatric Hydrocele: A Comprehensive Review

Natasha Fourie and Behrouz Banieghbal

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

^*Correspondance to: Behrouz Banieghbal 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1448

Abstract

Pediatric hydrocele is a benign common condition seen by surgeons. It is almost always occur in males although a female equivalent is described. A hydrocele is a collection of fluid within the processus vaginalis (PV) that produces swelling in the inguinal region or scrotum. An inguinal hernia occurs when abdominal organs protrude a large PV, into the inguinal canal or scrotum. Inguinal hernia and hydrocele share a similar etiology and pathophysiology and may coexist. In a healthy male neonate, the testicle is surrounded by a closed cavity; the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum. In postnatal life, this is a potential space that should not communicate with the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen. However up to 60% of neonates have hydroceles. The natural history of PV is that of spontaneous closure due to poorly understood reasons. After 2 years of age, only 0.8% of males have a clinically palpable hydrocele and surgery is recommended for this group. The surgical techniques involve PV resection or closure at internal ring via open surgery or laparoscopically, whichever techniques used; the outcome is highly successful and minimal complications are reported.

Keywords

Pediatric hydrocele; Inguinal hernia

Cite the article

Fourie N, Banieghbal B. Pediatric Hydrocele: A Comprehensive Review. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1448.