INTRAOPERATIVE DIAGNOSTIC PNEUMOPERITONEUM IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL INGUINAL-HERNIAS - GOLDSTEIN TEST

Over a 4-year period, 321 infants and children with unilateral inguinal hernias underwent intraoperative diagnostic pneumoperitoneum to evaluate the contralateral groin for a patent processus vaginalis. Seventy-four patients had positive results and underwent contralateral hernia repair at the same time. Of the 247 patients with negative tests, 3 presented later with a hernia (false-negative rate 1,21%). There were no complications related to the procedure itself. Intraoperative diagnostic pneumoperitoneum (Goldstein test) is a useful, safe, simple, and highly accurate means to evaluate the contralateral groin.