Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Combination of High Ligation and Intraoperative Embolization using Polidocanol for Treatment of Varicoceles
Published on: December 22, 2023
Metachronous Contralateral Occurrence of Hydrocele After Unilateral Hydrocelectomy in Children Younger Than 8 Years
Jae Yeon Kim1,2, Jae Min Chung1,2,3, Sang Don Lee1,2,4
1Department of Urology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
Insights
Metachronous contralateral hydrocele occurred in 4.9% of pediatric patients after unilateral hydrocele surgery. Communicating hydroceles were more likely to develop on the opposite side, highlighting the need for parental consultation before treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Metachronous contralateral hydrocele is uncommon post-unilateral hydrocelectomy.
- Research on contralateral inguinal hernias is extensive, but contralateral hydroceles remain understudied.
- Both conditions share common underlying pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of metachronous contralateral hydrocele in children under 8 years old.
- To identify risk factors associated with contralateral hydrocele development.
- To analyze differences between communicating and noncommunicating hydroceles.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 302 children under 8 with unilateral hydroceles (Jan 2017-June 2020).
- Patients were treated without contralateral exploration.
- Classified hydroceles as communicating or noncommunicating; analyzed risk factors for contralateral occurrence.
Main Results:
- Metachronous contralateral hydrocele developed in 15 patients (4.9%).
- All contralateral cases were communicating hydroceles.
- A statistically significant difference in hydrocele type at initial diagnosis was observed (P=0.047).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of clinically evident metachronous contralateral hydrocele is 4.9%.
- Communicating hydroceles present a higher risk for contralateral development.
- Parents should be informed about the risk of contralateral hydrocele before surgical intervention.
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.
