Editing External Genital Anomalies in Boys (section)

=== Epidemiology and Pathogenesis ===
* '''Inguinal Hernia and Communicating Hydrocele'''
** Inguinal hernias develop in 1-5% of children, 5-10x '''more common in boys and significantly more common among premature infants'''
** '''More common (3:1) on the right side'''
*** '''Attributed to the later descent of the right testicle'''
** '''Risk factors for bilateral involvement (4):'''
**# '''Female gender'''
**# '''Prematurity'''
**# '''Age < 1'''
**# '''History of cryptorchidism'''
** Average age at presentation is 3-4 years
** '''The majority of new hydroceles occurring after birth and before puberty are associated with a patent processus vaginalis''' (clinically communicating, clear history of fluctuation)
* '''Noncommunicating Hydroceles'''
** '''Hydroceles that spontaneously resolve during infancy or appear during or after puberty are more commonly non-communicating'''
** '''These form from delayed fluid absorption or abnormal fluid dynamics within the tunica vaginalis'''