Effects of unilateral inguinal hernia with pediatric obesity/overweight and the relationship with contralateral patent processus vaginalis

Purpose: The prevalence of childhood obesity/overweight (OV-OB) has been increased worldwide. Inguinal exploration in pediatric with unilateral hernias has been an important issue due to the high incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV). This study was to investigate the effect of OV-OB on CPPV, and the relationship between the perioperative period and OV-OB. Methods This retrospective study included 27 paediatric patients with OV-OB and 151 controls who underwent paediatric inguinal hernia surgery (with CPPV or without CPPV). We used Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression model to analyze the clinical data. Results OV-OB with CPPV affected anaesthesia induction time ( p  = 0.03, odds ratio (OR) = 17.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.39–279.20). OV-OB showed high complication rates of CPPV ( p  = 0.01, OR 2.97 (95% CI: 1.27–6.93)). Conclusion OV-OB influenced anaesthesia induction time in paediatric inguinal hernias. Unilateral inguinal hernia in paediatric patients with OV-OB may be susceptible to CPPV.