Does Surgical Technique Play a Role in Postoperative Hydrocele Formation in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair?
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effect of surgical technique on postoperative hydrocele formation after inguinal hernia repair (IHR) in pediatric patients is unclear. This study aims to compare postoperative hydrocele rates between laparoscopic and open pediatric IHRs and to evaluate the impact of distal sac resection on hydrocele formation. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted of male patients aged 18 years or less who underwent IHR from January 2017 to December 2019 at 20 children's hospitals. Male individuals with cryptorchidism, sliding hernia, or mesh repair were excluded. The primary outcome was postoperative hydrocele that required intervention (aspiration, drainage, hydrocelectomy). Comparisons of patient demographics, surgical techniques, and postoperative hydrocele rates between laparoscopic and open repairs were performed; significance was defined as a p value of
Fields of Study & Subjects
Hernia repair and management
Testicular diseases and treatments
Intestinal and Peritoneal Adhesions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the American College of Surgeons
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 243
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 368–374
- Publication date
- 19 February 2026
- Language
- EN