Prevalence of urachal remnants in children according to age and their anatomic variants
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In brief
In brief
Laparoscopic study of 394 children undergoing inguinal hernia repair reveals 35.5% prevalence of urachal remnants, with significantly higher rates in infants under 1 year (63.2%). Findings support nonoperative management in asymptomatic infants due to probable spontaneous resolution, while identifying anatomic variants that aid surgical planning.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of urachal remnants in children in relation to patient age as well as to identify their anatomic variants, using a laparoscopic view.
Methods
The medical records of 394 pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were reviewed. Patients were divided into four groups based on their age at surgery. Using laparoscopic visualization, the presence and anatomic variants of urachal remnants were analyzed.
Results
A urachal remnant was confirmed in 140 children (35.5%). Although the prevalence was significantly higher in the group of children aged < 1 year (63.2%) than in any other group, no significant difference in the prevalence was observed between the groups aged ≥ 1 year. In 42 cases (10.7%), the urachal remnant merged into the lateral umbilical ligament.
Conclusions
Our results suggest a recommendation of nonoperative management of asymptomatic urachal remnants, especially in patients less than 1 year of age due to its probable spontaneous resolution. Knowledge of the anatomic variants could improve the accuracy of diagnosis of urachal remnants and the comprehension of its structure and localization for the achievement of accurate and complete excision.