Objective: To develop a guideline available to the medical staff of the first and second level of care, which includes recommendations based on the best available evidence about diagnosis and management of hydrocele in the pediatric patient.
Methods: Clinical questions were formulated and structured. Standardized sequence was established to search for practice guidelines from the clinical questions raised on diagnosis and treatment of hydrocele in children. The working group searched clinical practice guidelines and found only one. For recommendations not included in the reference guide the search process was conducted in PubMed and Cochrane Library. The results were expressed as levels of evidence and grade of recommendation.
Conclusions: The most of the infant hydroceles are communicating and do resolve without treatment, however recognize those to need surgery is necessary to treat opportunely.