Omental incarceration may cause hydrocele and this hydrocele confused simple or scrotal hydrocele

Background The recommended approach to hydrocele repair in children is inguinal. Recently, a transscrotal approach has been recommended for hydroceles in children. This report describes our experience with hydrocele with omentum incarceration. Methods This retrospective study reviewed the records of ten children who underwent inguinal hydrocele repair with omentum incarceration in our clinic. Results The mean age of the patients was 4.5 years (range 1.5–16). Hydroceles were located on the right side in all patients. Scrotal erythema, inguinal pain, signs of intestinal obstruction and hernia sac were not determined. Hydrocele repairs were made by inguinal approach in all patients. The procesus vaginalis was rougher than normal and noted as the hernia sac. Thus, the hernia sacs were opened and omental incarceration was defined in all cases. Omentum protruded into the abdomen in all cases. A high ligation was performed and the distal parts of the sacs were fenestrated. Conclusions In the light of our experience, a scrotal approach to hydrocele repair in children would be difficult in cases of incarceration with hernia. Omental incarceration may cause hydrocele, and this hydrocele can be confused with normal hydrocele. Therefore, we would continue to recommend an inguinal approach for childhood hydroceles.