Preoperative ultrasound and intraoperative findings of inguinal hernias in children: A prospective study of 642 children.

Background/purpose: Preoperative sonographic studies of the groins have become a routine evaluation of inguinal hernia in children. Its value is not only to confirm the clinical diagnosis, but also to accurately assess the opposite side and to prevent an unnecessary exploration or additional operation at a later stage. The purpose of this study is to report more definitive criteria of inguinal hernias (IH) and patent process vaginalis (PPV) established from 1,284 groin examinations.