Follow-up after inguinal herniotomy or surgery for hydrocele in boys.

A retrospective review of 556 boys who had undergone inguinal herniotomy or surgery for hydrocele was carried out to assess the value of early routine postoperative follow-up. Of 386 children given an appointment, 319 (82.6 per cent) attended. The testis was no longer palpable in the normal scrotal position in 12 boys; eight were normal on further review and four required orchidopexy. Six hydroceles, all of which resolved, and four contralateral hernias were detected. Nineteen boys (4.9 per cent) were referred later with recurrent hernia (two patients), ipsilateral high testis (two), or contralateral hernia or hydrocele (15). Of 170 children not given a routine appointment, ten (5.9 per cent) were subsequently referred back with a transient hydrocele (two) or a contralateral hernia (eight). After a total of 440 appointments, eight boys (1.8 per cent) were found to have a significant abnormality. The rate of referral back to hospital was similar in both groups. Early discharge would make more efficient use of outpatient resources without significantly affecting overall outcome.