Our Laparoscopic Surgical technique and experience in treating pediatric inguinal hernia over the past decade

Abstract

Background:Over the past decade, laparoscopic hernia repair was the most performed operation in our department. Equally, it compromises 15% of all pediatric operations performed. We aim, in this study, to review all the cases performed and extrapolate important information like reoccurrences, the incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia, complications amongst other information.Material and Methods:All patients under the age of 18 whom underwent elective laparoscopic hernia repair between 03/01/2007 till the 18/05/2016 were included in our study. We recorded important clinical features and studied their post-operative follow up. Equally reoccurrences, the incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia, complications and other parameters were recorded and studied.Results:A total of 916 patients were operated on during the defined study period. There was a 0.17% reoccurrence rate and a 0.46% incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia. Equally a contralateral patent processus vaginalis was diagnosed and closed in 17.10%. There were no postoperative complications and we had a 0% postoperative hydrocele rate.Conclusion:Laparoscopic hernia repair is safe and carries all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We recommend that it is offered to patients and would like to refute previously claimed reports that it carries a higher reoccurrence rate or takes a long time to perform. Our reoccurrence rate of 0.17% is actually lower than many published reoccurrence rates after open repair.

Characteristics and Treatments for Pediatric Ordinary and Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Based on Gender: 12-Year Experiences from a Single Center

“…Additionally, the ratio of unilateral: bilateral and right: left: bilateral was 6.9:1 and 4.1:2.8:1 respectively, equal to other studies [9].…”

Characteristics and Treatments for Pediatric Ordinary and Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Based on Gender: 12-Year Experiences from a Single Center

“…From the results, we concluded that the ratio of male to female inguinal hernia was 4.8:1, which was higher than the reported 2.5:1 [9]. Our study boasts of participant volume almost 10-12 times more than the reported articles [9] and we postulate that our result may be a better representation of the true morbidity. Additionally, the ratio of unilateral: bilateral and right: left: bilateral was 6.9:1 and 4.1:2.8:1 respectively, equal to other studies [9].…”

Characteristics and Treatments for Pediatric Ordinary and Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Based on Gender: 12-Year Experiences from a Single Center

“…Based on the results, we concluded that the ratio of male to female inguinal hernia was 4.8:1, which was higher than the reported 2.5:1 [9]. Our study boasts of participant volume almost 10-12 times more than the reported articles [9] and we postulate that our result may be a better representation of the true morbidity.…”

“…Inguinal hernia is a common disease in pediatric patients with an estimated incidence of 1-5% [1] and hernia repair compromises of up to 15% of all operations in some pediatric centers [9]. Since the 1960s, Beijing Children's Hospital has implemented several measures to meet the increasing demands of inguinal hernia patients in the outpatient department [10], which we attribute to heightened awareness of the disease in parents (Figure 1).…”