Abstract
Background
Inguinal hernias are a common entity with nearly 31,000 repairs annually in the Netherlands and over 800,000 in the USA. The aim of the present study is to determine whether a laparoscopically diagnosed patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is a risk factor for the development of groin hernia.
Methods
The study population was originally composed of 599 consecutive cases (189 male, 32%) of laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery for different indications performed in 4 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands between November 1998 and February 2002. During laparoscopy, the deep inguinal ring was inspected bilaterally. The PPV group was compared with the obliterative processus vaginalis (OPV) group.
Results
After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, the studied population consisted of 337 cases (94 male, 28%). In this study 12% of the studied population appeared to have PPV in adult life. The percentage PPV of our study group is much higher than the percentage of hernia repairs performed in the Dutch population. A greater proportion (12%) of hernia repairs in the PPV group was found as compared with the OPV group (3%). The chance of developing an inguinal hernia within 5.3 years is four times higher in the group with PPV. No significant correlation between age and the prevalence of PPV was observed.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that PPV is an etiologic factor and a risk factor for acquiring an indirect inguinal hernia in adults.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brendan Devlin HKA, O’Dwyer PJ, Bloor K (1998) Management of abdominal hernia’s, 2nd ed. Chapman & Hall Medical, London
Kapur P, Caty MG, Glick PL (1998) Pediatric hernias and hydroceles. Pediatr Clin North Am 45: 773–789
McGregor DB, Halverson K, McVay CB (1980) The unilateral pediatric inguinal hernia: should the contralateral side by explored? J Pediatr Surg 15: 313–317
Abrahamson J (1998) Etiology and pathophysiology of primary and recurrent groin hernia formation. Surg Clin North Am 78: 953–972, vi
Pellegrin K, Bensard DD, Karrer FM, Meagher DP Jr (1996) Laparoscopic evaluation of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children. Am J Surg 172: 602–605; discussion 606
Rowe MI, Copelson LW, Clatworthy HW (1969) The patent processus vaginalis and the inguinal hernia. J Pediatr Surg 4: 102–107
van Wessem KJ, Simons MP, Plaisier PW, Lange JF (2003) The etiology of indirect inguinal hernias: congenital and/or acquired? Hernia 7: 76–79
Read RC (2003) Recent advances in the repair of groin herniation. Curr Probl Surg 40: 13–79
Rutkow IM (2003) Demographic and socioeconomic aspects of hernia repair in the United States in 2003. Surg Clin North Am 83: 1045–1051, v–vi
Kingsnorth AN, Gray MR, Nott DM (1992) Prospective randomized trial comparing the Shouldice technique and plication darn for inguinal hernia. Br J Surg 79: 1068–1070
http://www.prismant.nl (2004) National Medical Registration, The Netherlands
Geisler DP, Jegathesan S, Parmley MC, McGee JM, Nolen MG, Broughan TA (2001) Laparoscopic exploration for the clinically undetected hernia in infancy and childhood. Am J Surg 182: 693–696
Ikeda H, Suzuki N, Takahashi A, Kuroiwa M, Sakai M, Tsuchida Y (2000) Risk of contralateral manifestation in children with unilateral inguinal hernia: should hernia in children be treated contralaterally? J Pediatr Surg 35: 1746–1748
Yerkes EB, Brock JW 3rd, Holcomb GW 3rd, Morgan WM 3rd (1998) Laparoscopic evaluation for a contralateral patent processus vaginalis: part III. Urology 51: 480–483
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Veen, R.N., van Wessem, K.J.P., Halm, J.A. et al. Patent processus vaginalis in the adult as a risk factor for the occurrence of indirect inguinal hernia. Surg Endosc 21, 202–205 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-006-0012-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-006-0012-9