The challenges of the management of the incisional hernia in children and infants: a retrospective experience of a tertiary hospital

Abstract

BackgroundIncisional hernia in children and infants represents a major complication following exploration. The condition is associated with prolonged hospital stay, readmission, and the need for another operation to treat the resulting incisional hernia. The incidence is variable worldwide. The leading causes are still indeterminate as well as the management strategy. We aimed at studying incisional hernia in children and infants at a tertiary level hospital as regards presenting symptoms, methods of management, and its impact on the quality of life of patients.ResultsA retrospective study included all infants and children presented with incisional hernia. Patients were categorized in to two groups according to the age of presentation, group A patients younger than 2 years of age and group B patients older than 2 years. All data related to the first operation in addition to data related to repair of the incisional hernia were collected in special charts. The study included 67 patients. the median age in group A was 6.5 months vs 10.5 years in group B. Urgent presentation was found in 35.4% of cases in group A vs 19.44% of cases in group B. Tissue repair was used as the definitive management in 64.5% of cases in group A and in 52.7% of cases in group B.ConclusionIncisional hernia in infants and children is a major complication. The management is associated with prolonged hospital stay, financial burden, and deep impact on the quality of life. It is to some extent difficult to predict its onset.