[Pathology of the processus vaginalis in urological practice]

To describe the epidemiological, anatomico-clinical and therapeutic aspects of the patent vaginoperitoneal canal (PVPC) in urological practice and to compare our results with those of pediatric teams.

We performed a retrospective descriptive study of PVPC cases operated in a urology unit. The following parameters were studied: medical history, age, method of installation, the anatomo-clinical type, side and the results of the treatment.

A total of 163 cases were collected over a period of 5 years. The average age was 7.5 ± 7 years with a range of 2 months and 39 years. Thirty-four patients had less than or equal to age 2 ears and 28 patients were adults. The reason for consultation was an inguinal or scrotal inguinal, painless and intermittent swelling in 72.3% of cases. Installation mode was progressive in 45 patients (27.6%). The PVPC was sitting right in 81 patients (49.7%) and was bilateral in 12 patients (7.3%). The anatomo-clinical types were dominated by the communicating hydrocele (52%). The treatment was carried out in controlled surgery in all patients and the mean duration of hospitalization was 24 hours. The postoperative course was marked by 5 cases of scrotal hematoma and 2 cases of parietal suppuration. Postoperative mortality was zero. After a mean postoperative decrease of 2 years we observed 3 cases of testicular atrophy and two recurrences.

Our results in terms of morbidity and mortality although satisfactory were lower than those of pediatric teams.

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