Current practice regarding timing of patent processus vaginalis ligation for idiopathic hydrocele in young boys: a survey of UK surgeons.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the current UK practice regarding timing of surgical repair of hydroceles in young boys.

METHODS

Through a validated, online survey, participants were asked their preferred management option in five different clinical scenarios across five age ranges.

RESULTS

71 responses were included in the analysis. The most common age to offer surgical intervention for a congenital hydrocele that is stable or increasing in size, or a hydrocele of the cord is 24-36 months. For a stable hydrocele presenting after 12 months of age, the most common age to offer repair is between 36 and 48 months. Approximately ¼ of respondents defer surgery until 4 years of age for any stable hydrocele. For a congenital hydrocele that is decreasing in size, the majority of respondents (57%) do not offer surgical intervention even over 4 years of age. The majority of respondents (61%) do not differentiate between communicating and non-communicating hydroceles when considering age for repair.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that there is uncertainty regarding the optimum age for PPV ligation and adequate underlying variability in practice to support a prospective study of the optimum age for hydrocele repair and the natural history of PPV closure.