From 1979 to 2006, fifty eight patients with esophageal atresia were treated by one pediatric surgeon at Hanyang University Hospital. We analyzed the clinical findings and outcome of these 58 patients. There were 30 males and 28 females. Their mean birth weight was 2,960 ± 400 g (1,170~4,020 g). The most common type of anomaly was Gross type C (49 patients; 84.5 %). There was no type B. Fifty-two patients underwent definitive surgery. Postoperative complications were as follows: anastomotic leakage in 17 patients (32.7 %), anastomotic site stricture in 15 (28.8 %), gastroesophageal reflux in 10 (19.2 %) and recurrent TEF in 1 (1.9 %). A total of 152 associated anomalies were detected from 48 patients (82.2 %). The cardiovascular system was the most commonly affected (30 patients with 46 anomalies). The VACTERL association was present in 14 patients (24.1 %). Operative mortality was 17.3 % including self-discharge patients after operation.

Contralateral exploration in children with unilateral inguinal hernia is controversial. This study was done to identify risk factors for the development of contralateral inguinal hernia in patients with unilateral inguinal hernia. The clinical experience of 4,206 inguinal hernias repaired by one pediatric surgeon on 3,358 children at HanYang University Hospital from September 1979 to December 2002 was analyzed. 1,868 (55.6%) hernias occurred on right side, 1,190 (35.4%) on left side, and 300 (8.9%) were bilateral. 2,702 children were boys and 656 were girls (M:F=4.1:1). 170 children of 3,058 children with unilateral hernias (5.6%) developed contralateral inguinal hernia at 1 day to 95 months after herniotomy. 146 children were boys and 24 were girls (M:F=6.1:1). The patients who had had herniotomy before 1 year of age developed contralateral hernia in 17.4%, compared with 5.6% overall average. The earlier the first herniotomy was performed, the more frequently contralateral hernia developed. The occurrence of contralateral inguinal hernia was more frequent in boys (146 of 2,460, 5.9%) than girls (24 of 598, 4.0%) and more frequent after left herniotomy (80 of 1,190, 6.7%) than after right herniotomy (90 of 1,868, 4.8%), but statistically not significant. 52.9% of contralateral inguinal hernia developed within 1 year after hernia repair, and 87.6% developed within 3 years. Routine exploration on contralateral side in children is not necessary.

Conventional treatment of Hirschsprung's disease consists of initial colostomy followed by pull-through operation. But, the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease has been changed along with the development of new surgical technique. Since 1995, endo-GIA has been available at our hospital and one stage Duhamel operation has been performed for neonatal Hirschsprung's disease. Between May 1995 and April 2006, 26 neonates have been treated with one stage pull-through operation by one pediatric surgeon at HanYang University Hospital. The sex ratio was 4.2:1 with male predominance. Clinical findings included abdominal distension (96.2 %), vomiting (50.0 %), delayed passage of meconium (46.2 %), constipation (23.1 %), and enterocolitis (15.4 %). Twenty two cases (84.6 %) were short-segment and 4 cases (15.4 %) were long-segment disease, of which 2 cases were total colon aganglionosis. One of the two patients with total colonic aganglionosis had double transition zones - distal ileum and hepatic flexure of the colon. The average age at operation was 14.56 ± 8.77 days and the average weight at operation was 3.26±0.66 kg. Primary Duhamel operations were performed in 25 patients and Soave-Boley operations was performed in one patient. The endo-GIA 35 (Ethicon, USA) was used from 1995 until 1997, and after that endo-GIA 60 (USSC, USA) was used. The average Duhamel operation time was 88.57 ± 22.80 minutes. Wound abscess (n = 2) and septum formation (n =1) occurred after Duhamel operation. Bowel function was normalized in 59 % within 3 months and in 95% within 1 year after operation. There was no mortality after one stage pull-through operation in neonate.

Intestinal malrotation is usually asymptomatic and most often is found during abdominal exploration for other surgical diseases. However, a serious complication of intestinal malrotation, midgut volvulus is a true surgical emergency of childhood. The clinical findings, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and prognosis of midgut volvulus were reviewed by a retrospective study. Between 1980 and 2005, 29 patients with midgut volvulus ranging in age from 1 day and 15 years were treated at HanYang University Hospital. Seventy-nine percent of the patients presented before 1 month of age. Midgut volvulus occurred 2 times more frequently in male. The clinical findings were bilious vomiting (96.6 %), irritability (34.5 %), abdominal distention (13.8 %), abdominal pain (10.3 %), and palpable abdominal mass (6.9 %). The diagnosis was made by abdominal simple x-ray (17.2 %), upper gastro-intestinal contrast study (37.9 %), abdominal sonogram (20.7 %), abdominal CT (3.4 %), and abdominal exploration (20.7 %). Among the 29 patients, 5 patients developed gangrene of small intestine due to strangulation and underwent resection of bowel. Two patients died due to sepsis.

Biliary atresia (BA) is the result of fibrosing destructive inflammatory process affecting intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, which lead to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Kasai portoenterostomy has been the standard operative procedure in biliary atresia. Recently, there has been remarkable increase in the survival rate in cases of BA. However, long-term survivors are not clearly evaluated in Korea. To define long-term prognosis factors of patients who underwent surgery for BA, a retrospective study was undertaken of 10 (37 %) patients surviving more than 10 years among 27 patients who underwent one of Kasai procedures between 1981 and 1995. Hepatomegaly was present in 4 and splenomegaly in 7 patients. Serum bilirubin was normalized at 1 year after operation. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), Alanine aminotransferase(ALT, GPT) were normalized at 12 years and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was normalized at 13.5 years. Cholangitis developed mainly within 5 years after operation so close follow up is needed. Life long follow-up is needed because of progressive deterioration of liver function even after 10 years.

Intestinal duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. The diagnostic approach is difficult because of the differences in its location and clinical presentation. To evaluate the diagnostic as well as the therapeutic approaches in children, the medical records of 20 patients with intestinal duplications which had been operated upon from July 1980 to October 2002 were analyzed, retrospectively. The range of age was from 1 day to 11 years. The variables, such as age, sex, clinical presentation, diagnostic method, localization, anatomic type, treatment, complication, and combined anomalies were analyzed. Most of the cases were presented as incidental finding. The majority of the duplications except hindgut were cystic type. Treatment included segmental intestinal resection, excision of the lesion without intestinal resection, and septotomy. Seventy-five percent of the patients were detected before 1 year of age. The anatomic type of the lesion was closely related with its location. The cases of hindgut were almost always tubular type except 1 case. Clinical presentation was related to age, location, and anatomic type. There were no specific diagnostic methods. Perfect localization and application of appropriate operation are the most important requirements for successful treatment.

Preauricular sinus and preauricular skin tag are common childhood congenital anomalies. It is important for the pediatric surgeon to be familiar with the embryology and differentiation of head and neck structure to accurately diagnose and treat these lesions. Seventy-eight patients with preauricular sinus and twenty-eight with preauricular skin tag treated in the Department of pediatric surgery at Hanyang University Hospital from January 1981 to May 2002 were reviewed to determine relative frequency, clinical classification and appropriate treatment. The male to female ratio of preauricular sinus was 1:1.2, and preauricular skin tag was 1:1. The most commonly presenting age of sinus and skin tag was before 5 year (62.8%) and before 1 year (53.6%). Twenty nine of 78 cases of preauricular sinuses were on the left, 25 on the right and 24 bilateral. Sings of infectio were infection were seen in 73.0% of patients with preauricular sinus at operation. Only 31.3% of lesions were infected in patients less than one year of age, but 89.5% between 3-5 year and 100% between 5-8 year. Cartilage was present in five patients with preauricular skin tag. Although re-operation due to wound infection was necessary in four cases, no recurrences were found. The preauricular sinus is a common anomaly in childhood, and has had a relatively high recurrence rate. But most of the recurrence were due to incomplete resection because of combined infection. Initial proper diagnosis and early operation are very important. Identification of the exact anatomical location of sinus tract is necessary because total excision of the lesions including those tracts is the only way to prevent recurrence.

Lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas are quite commonly seen in children. During a 22-year period, from January 1980 to December 2001, 117 patients with lymphangioma were treated and followed in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Hanyang University Hospital. The male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1 (77:40) with a male preponderance. As for the age incidence at time of diagnosis, 10 (8.5 %) patients were noted under 1 month of age, 37 (31.6 %) were between 1 month and 1 year of age, 12 (10.3 %) between 1 and 2 years of age, so 59 (50.4 %) were under 2 years of age. Sixty one (52.1 %) lymphangioma-cases were located in the neck, including one case at the nape. Axilla was the second in frequency and the rest were scattered at various sites. The intrascrotal lymphangioma is very rare but we have experienced one case of primary intrascrotal lymphangioma. Eighteen (15.4 %) cases were located in the intraabdominal area, 10 in the mesentery, 2 in the greater omentum and 6 in the retroperitoneum. The chief complaints of intraabdominal lymphangioma were abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, inguinal hernia, palpable mass, and/or abdominal distension. Among 77 histologically proven cases, 14 cases were cavernous lymphangiomas and the rest were cystic lymphangiomas. Bleeding in the lymphangioma was noted in 20 (17.1 %) cases of all. As for the treatment, a complete excision was performed in 77 (65.8 %) patients and AgNO₃ sclerotherapy after incomplete excision was performed in 23 (19.7 %). Picibanil (OK-432) sclerotherapy was performed in 17 (14.5 %) patients. Recurrence rate was 7.7 % and mortality occurred in one case who had a large neck lymphangioma extending into the mediastinum.

Branchial anomaly is a frequently occurring congenital abnormality in childhood. It is important for the pediatric surgeon alike to be familiar with the embryology and differentiation of head and neck structure to accurately diagnose and treat these lesions. Eighty-five patients with branchial anomaly treated at Hanyang University Hospital between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed to determine relative frequency, clinical classification and appropriate treatment. The male to female ratio of branchial anomaly was 1.2:1. The most commonly presenting age was before 1 year (32 %) and the age group between 1 and 3 year (22 %) followed it. According to the classification of branchial anomalies, 73 of 85 cases were second branchial anomaly, 9 had the first type and 3 did fourth type. One patient showed combined anomalies of the first and the second type. Infection sign were seen in 70 % of patients at the time of the first visit to our hospital and also patients' symptoms were frequently related with the infection. Forty-one cases (48 %) were fistula, 21 (25 %) were cysts, 21 (25 %) were sinuses, and two were only cartilage remnants. The most common type of the branchial anomalies is the second branchial fistula and the most common symptoms of the anomalies are related with infection. Initial proper diagnosis and anatomical classification of the anomalies are very important in managing the lesions. The efforts to find the exact anatomical location of the fistula or sinus tract are necessary because total excision of the lesions including those tracts is the only way to prevent recurrence.

No abstract available.

Thyroglossal duct cyst is ectodermal remnant, which may develop along the line of descent of the thyroid gland from the foramen cecum of the tongue to the pyramidal lobe of the thyroid gland. Meticulous dissection of the cyst and duct, along with the body of the hyoid bone is necessary to avoid recurrence. Eighty-one patients with thyroglossal duct cyst treated at Hanyang University Hospital between January 1980 and December 2000 were reviewed to determine the incidence and to analyze the result of management. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1 (47:34) with a male preponderance. They are most commonly present at 3-8years (54.2%) of age, but rarely present at infancy. The most common symptom was a painless midline neck mass (76.5%, 62cases). Eighty-one patients underwent modified Sistrunk operation without evidence of recurrence. Eight-nine percent (72 cases) of these lesions were located between thyroid substance and hyoid bone, and 11% (9 cases) were above the hyoid bone. There were 22 infected cysts (27.2%). The Sistrunk operation is a gold standard for treating the thyroglossal duct cysts. For best results in thyroglossal duct cyst surgery, one should make every effort to remove the cyst intact in continuity with the body of the hyoid bone. In our institute, Sistrunk operation modified by the authors showed a good result.

Congenital anomalies in the head and neck region such as preauricular sinus and skin tag, thyroglossal duct cyst, branchial anomaly, cystic hygroma and dermoid cyst are common in pediatric population. It is important for pediatricians and pediatric surgeons to be familiar with the embryology and the anatomical characterics of these lesions in order to diagnose and treat properly. Three hundred nineteen patients with congenital head and neck anomalies treated at Hanyang University Hospital between 1980 and 1999 were reviewed to determine the relative frequency of the anomalies and to analyze the method of management. Eight-four patients(25.1%) of 335 lesions had preauricular sinus and skin tag, 81 patients(24.2%) had thyroglossal duct cyst, 81 patients(24.2%) had branchial anomaly, 58 patients(17.3%) had cystic hygroma, 31 patients(9.2%) had dermoid cyst. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. The thyroglossal duct cyst was most commonly present at 3-5years, however branchial anomaly was commonly diagnosed in children younger than 1 year. Preauricular sinus shoeed familial tendency in three patients and bilaterality is 33.8%. Most head and neck anomalies in children had clinical and anatomical characterics. A careful history and physical examination were very useful for diagnosis and proper management. The initial surgery should be done by experienced pediatric surgeonsl since the recurrence rate after incomplete surgical excision could be high.

The pyloric length, diameter and muscle thickness were measured by ultrasonograms of 15 infants with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) and were compared with the infants who came in for the routine vaccination randomly. This study analyzed the changes in pylorus for those who received pyloromyotomy using the ultrasonogram at 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, such as the time needed to become normalized, and compare with the size of the hypertrophic pylorus before the pyloromyotomy. According to Carver⁵, the pyloric muscle volume (PMV) and pyloric muscle index (PMI) were calculated in each case. The pyloric muscle volume, PMI and the thickness of pyloric muscle proved to be a more reliable guide to diagnose IHPS than length and diameter of pylorus. The pyloric muscle after pyloromyotomy was measured by ultrasound at 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively. The pyloric muscle length, diameter, thickness and pyloric muscle volume were not normalized at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. However, pyloric muscle index was normalized at 4 weeks postoperatively which was probably due to rapid weight gain after pyloromyotomy.

Among 60 children with teratoma, forty-three (71.7 percent) were girls and 17 (28.3 percent) boys. Primary sites were sacrococcygeal in 30 patients (50 percent), retroperitoneal in 12 (20 percent), ovarian in 11 (18.3 percent), testicular in 3 (5 percent), and one in each of nasopharyngeal, gastric, hepatic and pancreatic (1.6 percent, respectively). Fifty-five (91.7 percent) teratomas were benign and 5 (8.3 percent) malignant. Malignant teratomas were detected only at sacrococcygeal region (16.7 percent). Older than 2 months of age at diagnosis, presence of urinary and colonic obstructive symptoms, multiple masses and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein were indicators of malignancy in sacrococcygeal region. Tumor size, presence of calcification, and gross appearance (cystic or solid) did not correlate with malignant nature. Thirteen (21.7 percent) cases were associated with other anomalies. For the immature teratoma, the operative resection without adjuvant chemotherapy was enough. Three malignant cases were survived, one with chemotheapy for 3 years and the others without chemotherapy for 5 and 10 years.

The embryological and anatomical features of urachal anomalies have been well defined. Because of the variable clinical presentation, uniform guideline for evaluation and treatment are lacking. Although urachal remnants are rarely observed clinically, they often give rise to a number of problems such as infection and late malignant changes. Therefore, a total assessment of the disease with a particular focus on embryology, anatomy and clinical symptoms, as well as the most advisable management, is called for. Twenty six patients with urachal remnants were treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery from August 1980 to June 1998. Of these 26, 9 were classified as patent urachus, 11 as urachal sinus, 4 urachal cyst, 1 urachal diverticulum and 1 alternating sinus. The group consisted of 11 males and 15 females. The age distribution was 20 neonates, 3 infants, 2 preschoolers and 1 adult. Infection was the most frequent complication and Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant causative microorganism. Fistulogram was performed in 4 cases and ultrasound examination disclosed cysts or sinus in 7 cases. Excision was performed in 24 patients and incision and draniage in 2 cases as a primary treatment. There was no postopreative complication or recurrence.

Of 72 patients with vitelline duct and vessel remnants, 45 (62.5 %) had symptomatic lesions. The mean age of the patients was 27.9 months. Males predominated (4.6 : 1). There were 22 cases of Meckel's diverticulum, 6 of Meckel's diverticulum attatched to the umbilicus with a fibrous band, 6 cases of patent vitelline duct, 5 cases of vitelline artery remnants as a fibrous band and 2 cases each of umbilical sinus and polyp, and vitelline cyst. Twenty-three patients (51 %) presented with intestinal obstruction, 6(13 %) with rectal bleeding, 4(9 %) with perforated Meckel's diverticulum, 5 with intestinal juice drainage through umbilicus, 5 with umbilical lesions, 1 with abdominal mass, and 1 with sepsis. Intestinal obstruction due to fibrous band developed during infancy(average age; 4.6 months). Seventeen asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum, 8 obliterated vitelline artery remnants and 1 vitelline vein remnant as fibrous band, and 1 vitelline cyst were found incidentally at laparotomy. About 82 % of the complicated Meckel's diverticulum presented in infants and children less than 4 years of age.

Parenteral nutntlon has been an essential part of postoperative care of neonates requiring major surgery who are unable to tolerate enteral feeding for long periods during the postoperative period. However, TPN via central venous catheters(central TPN), used in increasing trend, still presents significant morbidity. To find out whether TPN via peripheral veins(peripheral TPN) could be used as a viable alternative for postoperative parenteral nutrition in neonates, a clinical study was carried out by a retrospective analysis of 53 neonates subjected to peripheral TPN for more than 7 days after surgery. Operations consisted of procedures for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, gastroschisis and omphalocele. Surgery was performed at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hanyang University Hospitall, from 1983 to 1994. The mean total duration of TPN was 13.3 days (range; 7-58 days), the average daily total fluid intake was 117.6 ml/kg during TPN and 158.6 ml/kg during subsequent oral feeding. The average daily total calorie intake was 57.7 kcal/kg during full strength TPN and 101.3 kcal/kg during subsequent oral feeding. The mean urine output was maintained at 3.5 ml/kg/hour during TPN and at 3.6 ml/kg/hour during subsequent oral feeding. The increment of body weight observed during TPN was 132g in TEF, 53g in gastroschisis and 3g in omphalocele patients, while loss of body weight was not observed. The mortality rate was 5.7%(3/53) and was related to the underlying congenital anomalies, not the TPN. The most common complication of peripheral TPN observed was laboratory findings suggestive of liver dysfunction in 23 cases( 43.4%) with no significant clinical symptom or signs in any case, transient pulmonary edema in one case, and generalized edema in one case. None of the major complications usually expected associated with central TPN were observed. The result of this study suggest that peripheral TPN can be used for adeguate postoperative nutritional support in neonates requiring 2 to 3 weeks of TPN.

Seventy neonates with congenital intestinal atresia and stenosis who were treated at pediatric surgical service, Hanyang University Hospital from September 1979 to December 1996 were analyzed retrospectively. The lesion occurred in 27 cases at the duodenum, in 26 cases at the jejunum, in 13 cases at the ileum and in 2 cases at the pylorus and colon each. There were 10 multiple atresias and 7 apple-peel anomaly cases. The atresia predominated over the stenosis by the ratio of 4 : 1. Male to female ratio was 1.3 : 1. The average gestational age was 38 weeks, and the average birth weight was 2,754 grams. Though 22.9 % were borne prematurely and 34.3 % had low birth weight, 92.3 % of them had a weight appropriate for gestational age. Polyhydramnios(40 %) was more frequently observed in duodenal and jejunal atresia while microcolon in ileal atresia(58.3 %). Weight loss and electrolyte imbalance occurred more frequently in the duodenal stenosis cases because of delayed diagnosis. Twenty(55.6 %) of 37 jejunoileal atresia cases had evidence of intrauterine vascular accident: 4 intrauterine intussusception, 3 intrauterine volvulus and 3 strangulated intestine in gastroschisis, and 10 cases of intrauterine peritonitis. There were one or more associated anomalies in 45 patients(64.3 %). Preoperatively proximal loop volvulus developed in 3 cases and proximal loop perforation in 5 cases and one case each of distal loop perforation, duodenal perforation and midgllt volvulus occurred in the jejunoileal atresia. Overall mortality rate was 20 %.

A clinical analysis was made of 42 pilomatricoma in 34 children treated, from January 1980 to August 1996 at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hanyang Diversity. The gender ratio was 13 to 21 with female preponderance. The average age at presentation was 7 years 3 months(range 8 months to 19 years old). The time average interval from onset to excision was 9.8 months. The predilection site was neck, upper extremities, face, trunk and lower extremities in the decreasing order of frequency. The masses were less than 3cm in diameter and there was no correlation between age at presentation and size of the mass. Of the six children with multiple lesions, two presented with multiple lesions initially and four presented with second lesion metachronously after excision of the primary lesions. Two girls had cysticercosis and von Recklinghausen's disease respectively in association with a pilomatricoma. All lesions were encapsulated subcutan6eous masses which were clearly distinguished from surrounding tissue, and 4 of them had pigmentation, ulceration, skin disruption and hemorrhagic changes in the overlying skin. Microscopically the mass was composed of basophilic cells and eosinophilic shadow cells. Calcification, foreign body giant cell, ossification, focal cystic, inflammatory or necrotic changes were also seen.

Clinical experiences of 833 hydrocele children presented at Hanyang University Hospital, of whom 456 children were operated by one pediatric surgeon from September 1979 to December 1993, were analyzed. Eight hundred and twenty three children were boys(right 476, left 279, bjJateral 49, and unknown 19), and 10 weregirls(8 right and 2 left). Operation was performed on 446 boys and all girls. Of boys diagnosed before the age of 6 months, 15.6% was operated and 68. 7% of those after 6 months of age was operated. Among the boys operated after 2 years old, 16.5% had had hydrocele before 6 months of age, 20.4% before 1 year old and 34.6% before 2 years old. On the other hand, 28.8% of boys diagnosed after 2 years of age did not undergo hydrocelectomy. Sixteen children with hydroceles had contralateral hernias at the same time. After repair of unilateral hydroceles, contralateral hydroceles developed in 7 and hernias in 3 children. After disappearance of unilateral hydroceles, it reappeared at the same site in 4 and contralateral hydroceles or hernias developed in 2 children each. Hydroceles converted to hernias in 6 children before treatment. Hydroceles developed after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in 5 children. The pathophysiology of hydrocele and inguinal hernia seems to be the same because of the similar distribution of onset age between them but hydrocele has various clinical courses. The results that 34.6% of boys operated after 2 years old had had hydrocele before 2 years of age and 28.8% of boys diagnosed after 2 years old did not undergo hydrocelectomy could not imply the proper age when hydrocelectomy could be performed. But operative repair of hydroceles after the age of 6 months seems to be recommendagle.

Abdominal epilepsy is accepted as unusual cause of abdominal pain in children and young adolescents. Although its abdominal symptoms may be similar to those of the irritable bowel syndrome, it may be distinguished from the latter condition by the presence of the altered consciousness during some of attacks, EEG abnormalities, and a good response to anticonvulsant medication. The diagnosis of abdominal epilepsy came into vogue in the 1950s and 1960s as an explanation for childhood abdominal complaints. More recently, it has been recognized that isolated vomiting without loss of consciousness or other more common paroxysmal symtoms is rarely attributable to abdominal epilepsy.

We report 4 cases of abdominal epilepsy, whose ages ranged from 8 to 11 years, with paroxysmal abdominal pain or vomitng consistent with a diagnosis of abdominal epilepsy.

Three hundred and twenty-seven patients of 2,046 inguinal hernia cases primarily repaired at Hanyang University Hospital had the history of incarceration or presented as incarcerated inguinal hernia on admission. Incidence of incarceration of all male hernias was 14.2%(234 patients) and 22.7%(93 patients) of all female cases. Incarceration occurred in 17.3% of all right hernia cases and in 13.7% of all left hernia cases.

The incarceration occurred 52.6% of the hernia patients in the first month of life, 27.3% in the first year, 26.7% in the second year and 7.8% after 2 years of age. Strangulated inguinal hernia occurred in 8 patients: five patients had ovaries involved, two patients intestines, and one patient omentum. Emergency operations were performed on 66 patients(20.2%) because incarcerated hernia could not be reduced by taxis. At the time of operation, the hernia sacs were empty in 140 of 327 patients and the remainders contained omentum(50), small intestine (44), appendix and/or cecum(28), sigmoid colon(2), ovary and/or tube(66), and omental cyst(l).

An elective hernia repair should be performed promptly after presentation of the hernia, especially before 2 years of life because of high incidence of incarceration. In this study, of 327 incarcerated hernia, 187 patients(57.2%) did not have prior history of incarceration and incarceration developed more than 7 days after hernia onset in 95.6%. If the hernia repairs had been performed within 7 days after hernia onset, about half of the incarceration might have been prevented.

The clinical experience of 2,340 inguinal hernia hernia repaired by one pediatic surgeon om 2,079 children at Hanyang University Hospital from September 1979 to December 1993 was analyzed. Of 2,046 patients who had primary hernia repairs at Hanyang University Hospital, 1,636 were male and 410 female, and 55.5% of hernias occurred on the right side, 36.0 % on the left, and 8.6% were bilateral. The patients presented hernia under the age of 12 months were 45.3% and those performed herniotomy under the age of 12 months were 25.5%. Birth weight was less than 2.5kg in III patients(8.7%) of 1,279 data available patients. Ninety(6.6%) of 1,354 data available patients were premature (<37wks gestation). The proportions of bilateral inguinal hernia and the onset age under 12 months of life in low birth weight babies and premature babies were higher than in full - term babies. Incarcerated inguinal hernia occurred in 327 patients(16.0%) of whom 8 patients were strangulated hernias. The occurrence of incarceration inversely related with age of patients. The subsequent contralateral inguinal l1ernia following unilateral hernia repairs occurred in 80 patients(4.3%) among which 72 were male and 8 were female. The incidence of contralateral inguinal hernia was more frequent in boys(4.8%) than girls (2.2%) and in cases after left herniotomy(6.4%) than after right herniotomy(2.9%). Sixty percent of contralateral inguinal hernia developed within 1 year after primary hernia repair. The recurrence of inguinal hernia occurred in 6 patients(0.27%) treated at our hospital primarily. There were one or more associated congenital anomalies in 83 patients of which congenital heart diseases were the most common. Sliding hernia occurred in 25 patients consisted of 5 boys and 20 girls. Family history was noted in 35 patients and there were 28 sets of monozygotic and 3 sets of dizygotic twins.