Needlescopic sutureless repair of congenital inguinal hernia: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Congenital inguinal hernia [CIH] can be treated laparoscopically using various methods documented in the literature. Many authors have recommended dividing the sac and stitching peritoneal defects. Other studies claimed that peritoneal disconnection alone is sufficient. In this study, the feasibility, operative time, recurrence rate, and other postoperative complications of needlescopic disconnection of the CIH sac with or without peritoneal defect suturing were compared. A prospective controlled randomized trial was conducted between January 2020 and December 2022. Two hundred and thirty patients who met the study requirements were included. Patients were assigned at random to either Group A or Group B. A group of 116 patients (Group A) had needlescopic separation of the neck of the sac and peritoneal defect closure. The remaining 114 patients (Group B) underwent needlescopic separation without peritoneal defect closure (Sutureless group). A total of 260 hernial defects in 230 patients were repaired using needlescopic disconnection with or without suturing of the defect. There were 89 females (38.7%) and 141 males (61.3%), with a mean age of 5.14 ± 2.79 years. In Group A, the mean operation time was 27.98 ± 2.89 for a unilateral hernia and 37.29 ± 4.68 for a bilateral one, whereas, in Group B, the mean operation time was 20.37 ± 2.37 and 23.38 ± 2.22 for a unilateral and bilateral hernia, respectively. In terms of the operating time, whether unilateral or bilateral, there was a significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the mean Internal Ring Diameter [IRD], which was 1.21 ± 0.18 cm in group A and 1.19 ± 0.11 cm in group B. Throughout the follow-up period, there was no postoperative hydrocele formation, recurrence, iatrogenic ascending of the testes, or testicular atrophy. All patients had nearly invisible scars with no keloid development at 3 months follow-up. Needlescopically separating the hernia sac without stitching the peritoneal defect is feasible, safe, and less invasive. It provides outstanding cosmetic results with a short operative time and no recurrence.

Pediatric incarcerated inguinal hernia: Traditional open or laparoscopic-assisted approach?

“…If not treated in time, serious complications, such as intestinal obstruction, intestinal strangulation, necrosis, or even testicular or ovarian necrosis, may occur. [ 13 , 14 ] The traditional treatment of an incarcerated indirect inguinal hernia involves making an inguinal incision, locating the inguinal sac, releasing the internal ring orifice, removing the hernia contents, separating the hernia sac, and performing high ligation of the hernia sac. However, when an incarcerated inguinal hernia occurs, the tissue layers cannot be clearly distinguished because of the severe local edema caused by the incarcerated contents of the hernia.…”