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Background: This study aims to establish the risk of developing a metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) following open repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia in children.Methods: A systematic review was performed using a defined search strategy. Studies in which children undergoing open repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia without contralateral exploration and who were followed up for MCIH development were included.Results: Of 5937 titles and abstracts screened, 154 full-text articles were identified for review; 49 papers were analysed with data on 22 846 children. The incidence of MCIH was 7·2 per cent overall, 6·9 per cent in boys and 7·3 per cent in girls (P = 0·381). Children with a left-sided inguinal hernia had a significantly higher risk of developing a MCIH than those with a right-sided hernia (10·2 versus 6·3 per cent respectively; P < 0·001).

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Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in infants is safe and carries acceptable complication and recurrence rates. The laparoscopic approach may be particularly beneficial in infants since it allows simultaneous closure of a contralateral PPV and bilateral herniae. The outcome of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in older children requires further evaluation.