J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Mar;38(10):e79. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e79.

Metachronous Contralateral Occurrence of Hydrocele After Unilateral Hydrocelectomy in Children Younger Than 8 Years

• Kim JY
• Chung JM
• Lee SD

• KMID: 2540427
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e79

Abstract

Background
Hydrocele on the contralateral side after surgical repair is an uncommon condition compared to surgical site recurrence. Although there has been much research on metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia in children, metachronous contralateral hydrocele, which share a common pathology with inguinal hernias, has not yet been investigated. We have investigated the incidence and risk factors for metachronous contralateral occurrence of communicating and noncommunicating hydroceles in children younger than 8 years.
Methods
From January 2017 to June 2020, 302 children younger than 8 who were diagnosed with unilateral hydroceles were treated in our hospital without surgical exploration of contralateral hydrocele. The disease was classified into communicating and noncommunicating hydroceles. We divided patients into two groups according to the presence of metachronous contralateral hydrocele and analyzed the differences between the two groups.
Results
Among 302 patients, the mean age was 36.4 ± 20.9 months. Metachronous contralateral hydrocele occurred in 15 (4.9%) patients as communicating hydroceles. Comparison between the two groups showed statistically significant differences in type of hydrocele (P = 0.047) at first diagnosis.
Conclusion
Clinically evident risk of metachronous contralateral hydrocele after unilateral hydrocelectomy was 4.9%. Despite the relatively low incidence rate, the risk of metachronous contralateral occurrence should always be consulted with parents before surgical treatment of hydroceles.

Keyword

Testicular Hydrocele; Recurrence; Child; Incidence; Risk Factors

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Classification of PV-related disorders.PV = processus vaginalis.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of hydrocele type according to age groups.PV = processus vaginalis.

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