Inguinal Hernia Repair In Children Research Articles

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children: true herniotomy is more reliable than herniorrhaphy

BACKGROUND: The optimal laparoscopic technique for pediatric inguinal hernia continues to be discussed with a view to its further refinement. AIM: This study aimed to ascertain the outcomes of two laparoscopic fully intra-corporeal techniques employed in our practice: herniorrhaphy and true herniotomy. METHODS: A retrospective comparative review of patient outcomes was conducted following laparoscopic groin hernia repair: herniorrhaphy — 1st series and true herniotomy — 2nd series. Patient data was analysed using non-parametric statistics with Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: In total there were 328 patients, aged between 2 months and 17 years, with 402 groin hernia defects including metachronous and rare defects. The herniorrhaphy was performed for indirect hernia defects (n=186) and herniotomy — for indirect (n=206) as well as for direct (n=6) and femoral (n=2) defects. Technically, there were no intraoperative complications in any case in either series. Conversion to open procedure was required in one patient of 1st series (0,5%) with giant hernia because of the impossibility to maintain due pneumoperitoneum. The postoperative recovery was prompt and uneventful with restoration of mobility and oral intake within 3–6 hours in all patients with no difference between the series. Adverse postoperative events were noted in 10 patients after herniorrhaphy — hydrocele (n=6; 3.2%) and hernia recurrence (n=4; 2.2%) whereas after herniotomy there was only one case (n=1; 0.5%) of hydrocele and none of recurrence. The overall rate of these complications was significantly lower in the herniotomy series vs herniorrhaphy (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic intracorporeal techniques both herniorrhaphy and true herniotomy are safe and effective for pediatric hernia repair. True herniotomy appears to be a more robust technique to minimise incidence of postoperative hydrocele and recurrence.

Testicular Vascularization after Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR) on testicular vascularization remains unclear. Manipulating the spermatic cord during surgery may reduce blood flow due to edema and vasoconstriction. This can lead to testicular atrophy. The study aims to review current knowledge of testicular vascular impairment following IHR in children. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Methodological quality was assessed using validated tools. Data were extracted, and a pooled data analysis was performed. Ten studies were included in the systematic review. Six of these studies were eligible for meta-analysis. This revealed a significant decrease in testicular vascularization during the short-term follow-up (1 day-1 week) after IHR using the open surgical approach. This decrease was not present after laparoscopic intervention. There was no more increased resistance in the vessels at long-term follow-up (1 month-6 months), suggesting that the impaired vascularity is only temporary. There seems to be a short-term transient vascular impairment of the testis after open IHR in children. This might be of clinical relevance to prefer the laparoscopic approach for IHR in children, even though the open approach is the gold standard, in contrast to adult IHR. The impact on testicular function and sperm quality later in life remains unclear. Comparative studies of both techniques are needed to determine if there is a significant difference in testicular vascularity. Long-term studies are necessary to assess the impact of transiently reduced vascularity on sperm quality and fertility later in life.

Feasibility of Laparoscopic Approach versus Open Approach for Inguinal Hernia Repair in Children

Feasibility of Laparoscopic Approach versus Open Approach for Inguinal Hernia Repair in Children

Comparisons of fentanyl and sufentanil on recovery time after inguinal hernia repair in children: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundInguinal hernia repair is a common pediatric procedure. We studied postoperative recovery times in children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with anesthesia induced by fentanyl versus sufentanil.MethodsWe performed a pilot randomized clinical trial between February and December 2022. Eligible children were assigned into two age groups, 2–6 and 6–12 years old groups. Then, children in each age group were randomly assigned into either the fentanyl (2 µg/kg) or sufentanil (0.2 µg/kg) group for anesthesia induction. Baseline characteristics were collected. The primary outcome was the postoperative recovery time, which was recorded as the time period from extubation to a Steward recovery score reaching 6. Secondary outcomes included surgical duration, anesthetic duration, intubation duration, and intraoperative hemorrhage.ResultsThere were 300 children, with 75 children in each group. In the 2–6 years old group, children who received fentanyl had statistically significantly shorter postoperative recovery times than children who received sufentanil (0.9 ± 0.4 versus 1.5 ± 0.3 h, P < 0.001). However, in the 6–12 years old group, children who received fentanyl had statistically significantly longer postoperative recovery times than children who received sufentanil (1.2 ± 0.4 versus 0.8 ± 0.4 h, P < 0.001). Baseline characteristics and secondary outcomes were comparable between two groups.ConclusionsAnesthesia induction with fentanyl or sufentanil resulted in different postoperative recovery times after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children in different age groups. More studies are required to determine the appropriate induction anesthetic in children of different ages.Trial registrationThe study protocol was retrospectively registered online at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR2300072177, retrospectively registered on 06/06/2023).

To use a simple hernia needle for single-port laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children: a 5-year experience study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the technique and practical significance of using a simple hernia needle in single-port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in pediatric patients. The study conducted a retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who underwent treatment for inguinal hernia using single-port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy with a simple hernia needle at Yellow River Sanmenxia Hospital from June 2018 to May 2023. The medical records of all the children were collected, and clinical characteristics, procedural information, and follow-up data were carefully reviewed. A total of 848 patients underwent inguinal hernia repair, with ages ranging from 7 months to 13 years (2.99 ± 2.49 years), including 756 males and 92 females. A total of 528 cases of unilateral hernia and 310 cases of bilateral hernia were reported, with intra-operative findings revealing contralateral occult hernia in 253 cases. Single-port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy was successfully completed in all patients, with no instances of conversion to open surgery. The mean operation time for unilateral hernia repair was (7.50 ± 4.80) min, while for bilateral hernia repair it was (11.55 ± 7.27) min. Five patients presented with subcutaneous emphysema, while two patients experienced a recurrence of inguinal hernia. No complications, such as scrotal hematoma, trocar umbilical hernia and testicular atrophy, were observed. The duration of the follow-up period ranged from 3 to 24 months. The promotion and utilization of single-port laparoscopy combined with a simple hernia needle in clinical practice are justified. Our initial investigation indicates that this surgical approach is both safe and dependable for the management of pediatric inguinal hernia. The procedure presents numerous benefits, including the utilization of uncomplicated instruments, straightforward operation, a clear curative impact, minimal tissue damage, rapid recovery, and the absence of scarring.

Development of an international core outcome set for treatment trials in paediatric inguinal hernia: protocol for a three-phase study including a systematic review and Delphi survey

IntroductionIn children, open inguinal hernia repair has been the gold standard for treatment, but with recent technical advancements in laparoscopy, laparoscopic hernia repair is gaining popularity. Despite available results from...

Our Cases and Literature Review for Presence of Bladder Hernias in the Inguinal Region in Children.

The rate of bladder injury during inguinal hernia repair in children is not well known. However, it is known that bladder injury during childhood inguinal hernia repair places a serious morbidity burden on children. We sought to determine an algorithm to avoid accidental bladder injuries. Reports that included pediatric patients with inguinal hernias containing the bladder were searched. Keywords and mesh term searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We reviewed our clinical records and found that two patients had inguinal hernias containing the bladder. Nineteen articles reporting on 26 patients diagnosed with the presence of the bladder within the inguinal canal from 1962 to 2021 were included in this article. Our two patients were added to this group. Diagnoses were made incidentally during genitourinary radiological examinations (n = 3), intraoperatively during hernia repair (n = 7), or due to clinical symptoms and findings (n = 18) after standard hernia repair. Bladder augmentation was required for three patients. During the operation, if there is any suspicion regarding the presence of the bladder in the inguinal region, we suggest performing a preoperative cystogram to confirm the position of the bladder and its injury. We recommend that the sac should be opened and the contents inspected before performing transfixion during high ligation of the hernia sac.

Laparoscopic recurrent inguinal hernia repair in children who underwent open procedure

Laparoscopic recurrent inguinal hernia repair in children who underwent open procedure

Sutureless versus purse string with complete sac dissection in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children: a randomized clinical trial

IntroductionPediatric inguinal hernia is a common surgical condition with a cumulative incidence of 4.2%. Minimal invasive surgery is playing a growing role in the treatment of this condition. We compared the outcomes of laparoscopic sutureless herniotomy and purse string with sac dissection repair with regards to complications and operative time.MethodsOne hundred fifty-two patients were operated on in two centers with two different techniques: sac dissection and purse-string suture, and sutureless repair. Operative time and recurrence were the main outcomes for comparison.ResultsSutureless repair has a shorter operative time (29 ± 10 min) compared to purse string repair (38 ± 13 min). The recurrence rate showed no statistical significance difference. However, the recurrence rate of sutureless repair was three times higher than that of purse string repair, and all recurrences were in large defects of 10–15 mm.ConclusionsSutureless repair is safe for defects up to 10 mm with excellent operative time. However, it had an unfavorable outcome in larger defects.

Skipping the cord during laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing in children, is it reasonable?

As a minimally invasive procedure, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children was introduced. Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS)is a popular technique. The main concern is that the spermatic cord will be trapped and/or the vasculature of the testes will be damaged in boys. This can be avoided by performing a careful dissection or by skipping the peritoneum over the cord and/or the vessels. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of recurrence or complication (e.g. hydrocele) in children with skipped peritoneum on the cord and/or vessels compared to those without skipped peritoneum during laparoscopic PIRS repair. The charts of children who underwent laparoscopic PIRS repair for inguinal hernia between 2017 and 2021 were analyzed. Complications and recurrence were assessed. The video recordings were viewed, and data on skipping (group 1) or not skipping (group 2) the peritoneum on vas deferens was recorded. The rates of recurrence and complications were compared between groups. There were 101 boys with a total of 125 inguinal hernias in the study. There were45 right-sided hernias, 32 had left-sided hernias, and 24 had bilateral hernias. According to the video investigation, there were 63 hernias in group 1 and 62 hernias in group 2. In each group, there were two recurrences (3% for both groups). There were no other postoperative complications. To avoid spermatic cord or vessel damage, skipping the cord appears to be an acceptable path that does not appear to increase recurrence or complication rates while also ensuring the safety of spermatic structures.

Open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children: A regional experience

PurposeThe optimal approach for pediatric inguinal hernia repair continues to be debated. We conducted a regional retrospective study to assess rates of recurrence and metachronous hernias after open repair (OPEN) and laparoscopic repair (LAP) MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at two children's hospitals that serve a region of approximately 4 million people. All patients < 14 years old undergoing OPEN or LAP by pediatric surgeons during a 5-year period (2011 – 2015) were analyzed after a minimum follow up of 4 years. Cox proportional regression was used to compare the effect of surgical approach on hernia recurrence and metachronous contralateral hernias. ResultsA total of 1,952 patients, 587 female (30%) and 1365 male (70%), had 2305 hernias repaired. Median post operative follow up time was 6.6 years (range 4–9 years). OPEN and LAP were performed for 1827 (79%) and 478 (21%) hernias, respectively. There were no significant differences in rate of prematurity, age at repair, or frequency of emergent repair. LAP was associated with a lower incidence of metachronous contralateral hernias compared to OPEN (1.4% vs 3.8%, p = 0.047), and a higher incidence of recurrence (9% vs 0.9%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, LAP had a higher rate of recurrence than OPEN (hazard ratio 10.4, 95% CI 6–18.1).The recurrence rate did not decrease over the study period (p = 0.731). ConclusionLaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children resulted in a modest decrease in the incidence of metachronous hernias, at the cost of a significant increase in recurrence. Type of StudyRetrospective Comparative Study. Level of evidenceLevel III.

Outcome and learning curve for laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair in children.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is one of the procedures most commonly performed by paediatric surgeons. Current research on the learning curve for laparoscopic hernia repair in children is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome and learning curve of laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair in children. A retrospective single-centre analysis of all paediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair between 2010 and 2019 was performed. The clinical outcomes were analysed. The data on the achievement of the learning curve by surgical trainees were evaluated with the CUSUM technique, focusing on operative time. There were 719 patients with laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair (comprising 1051 sides) performed during the study period. The overall ipsilateral recurrence rate was 1.8% without other complications detected. CUSUM analysis showed that there were 3 phases of training, for which the trainees underwent initial learning phase (Phase 1) for the first 7 cases. After mastering of the skills and extrapolating the skills to male patients with smaller body size (Phase 2), they then achieved performance comparable to that of the senior surgeons after 18 procedures (Phase 3). 18 procedures seem to be the number required to reach the learning curve plateau in terms of operative time by surgical trainees. The clinical outcomes show that laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair is a safe and transferrable technique, even in the hands of trainees, with adequate supervision and careful case selection. It also provides skill acquisition for minimally invasive surgery.

Should the processus vaginalis sac be opened or closed in pediatric herniotomy? A two-center cohort study.

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common operations in children. To improve outcome, several techniques are used. However, it has not been established if the open or the closed hernia sac preparation technique is superior in (premature) neonates and older children. Retrospective study including all cases of inguinal hernia repair in children at two large centers. Demographic data and outcome parameters including procedure time and intra as well as postoperative complications were evaluated. To compare open vs. closed hernia sack preparation, cases with secondary open preparation were excluded and propensity score matching was performed. Regression analysis was used to determine factors affecting operative time and recurrence rate. In total 2476 cases of inguinal hernia repair were identified. After exclusion of direct hernias as well as revision cases, 2257 cases were analyzed. Overall mean operative time was 25.8min. Intraoperative complications occurred in 0.1% and. postoperative complications occurred in 3.0% of all cases, the most frequent postoperative complication being recurrence (1.7%). Closed preparation technique resulted in significantly faster procedure time and lower recurrence rates in premature neonates and older children compared to the open hernia sac preparation technique. Operative technique, prematurity, gender and training of the surgeon are highly associated with operative time, whereas operative technique is the main factor affecting recurrence rate. It appears that closed hernia sack preparation is superior to open regarding speed and recurrence. This was true for premature neonates, neonates and older children. All other outcome parameters including intra- and postoperative complications were similar. Thus, we recommend to use the closed preparation technique whenever possible.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in bladder exstrophy, a new modified solution to an old problem: A cohort study.

PurposeOpen inguinal hernia repair in children with bladder exstrophy is challenging and associated with a high recurrence rate (15%–22%).We report our initial experience with laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias in five children with repaired bladder exstrophy. This study is the third describing inguinal hernia repair in bladder exstrophy patients using the laparoscopic approach. In this study, we report a different laparoscopic technique.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed on data regarding laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair collected over one year (July 2019–2020). We carried out the laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, closing the internal inguinal ring using a non-resorbable sliding knot suture and incorporating the transversalis fascia for reinforcement, followed by purse-string closure of the peritoneum.Peri- and postoperative outcome parameters, including recurrence rate, were evaluated over a follow-up period of 14 months.ResultsA total of seven male patients from July 2019 to 2020 were admitted to our center with a history of repaired bladder exstrophy and reducible inguinal hernias. Two patients had open inguinal hernia repair due to parental preference and five patients had laparoscopic repair. In the laparoscopic group three patients had bilateral inguinal hernias in one of them a metachronous hernia was discovered intraoperstively, and the remaining two patients had unilateral hernias, one on the right side and the other on the left side. All patients in the laparoscopic group had an uneventful recovery and were discharged within 24 h and there were no complications or recurrences during follow-up.ConclusionLaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a better alternative to managing inguinal hernias in children with bladder exstrophy.

Direct ligation of the internal ring incorporating the medial umbilical ligament (DIRIM): a new modification for laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children.

Laparoscopic hernia repair has not gained widespread acceptance. Relatively high recurrence rate is a major cause. To reduce recurrence, we report a novel modification of laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children by a retrospective cohort study. Between February 2020 and August 2021, children who underwent a laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair with our modified technique were retrospectively evaluated. In our modification, we included the medial inguinal ligament in the Direct ligation of the internal ring incorporating the medial umbilical ligament (DIRIM): a new modification for laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children. By doing so, the medial ligament is expected to act like a flep that reinforces the repair and prevent the peritoneal shearing and migration of the ligature. In total, 35 children were enrolled in the study with 23 boys and 12 girls. Right inguinal hernia (n = 23) was more common than left hernia (n = 10), while bilateral cases (n = 2) were less common. The median age of the patients was 38months and median operative time was 30min. An extraperitoneal hematoma was encountered in one patient that did not affect the postoperative course. No other intraoperative complication was encountered. No recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 1month. Our modification of laparoscopic percutaneous hernia repair is a simple and reproducible technique that may have a place in the armamentarium of a pediatric surgeons. IV.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children: Article review and the preliminary Maltese experience

BackgroundIn the past two decades, laparoscopy has provided an alternative approach to inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this review is to carry out a retrospective systematic analysis of articles dealing with laparoscopic hernia repair in children and a review of the Maltese experience. MethodsData was obtained from publications from 2002 to 2019. The endpoints include: patient demographics, clinical presentations, laparoscopic tools, ports, suture used, technical remarks, length of surgery, hospital stay, complications and follow-up. Results32 studies were included with a total of 10,183 patients. Most articles documented the use of 1 port. Length of surgery ranged from an average of 10 to 138 min. Ipsilateral recurrences were reported in 0.83% of cases, while 0.17% required conversion to open. Preliminary Maltese ExperienceIn our centre, a population of 514, 564 is covered (16% under the age of 18). A total of 14 cases of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were carried out from August 2018 till October 2020. The neonatal laparoscopic set-up involves a 30⁰ laparoscope, inserted via a 5 mm umbilical port, with 2 stab incisions allowing the use of 3 mm devices. Intra-corporeal purse string suture technique is used. The length of surgery ranged from 1 hr to 2 hr 30 min. There was 1 case of ipsilateral recurrence and another requiring conversion to open surgery. ConclusionsLaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children is a versatile and safe procedure that can be carried out with minimal complications and low reoperation rates.Level of Evidence: Level IV

Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing (PIRS) - The Benefits of Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair.

IntroductionThe laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children using the PIRS technique is a well-established method. However, there are still opinions that this method does not bring more benefits than open surgery.PurposeThe study aims to demonstrate the benefits of laparoscopic technique over conventional, open techniques.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study that included children aged 0–18 treated using the PIRS technique in 2008–2016. The control group consisted of patients treated with the traditional, open method of inguinal hernia repair. A total of 276 children were qualified for laparoscopic surgery, and there were 274 patients in the control group. A full laparoscopic procedure was performed on 247 patients. Assessment of the pathology of the internal inguinal ring was done in all patients during the laparoscopic procedure. Intraoperatively 79 children had bilateral inguinal hernia diagnosed, 133 right-sided inguinal herniae, and 57 left-sided inguinal herniae. The occurrence of hernia was not confirmed in 7 children, whereas 53 patients had open contralateral patent processus vaginalis. In a case of contralateral patent processus vaginalis, the repair was performed using the PIRS method.ResultsThe recurrence of the inguinal hernia was observed in 10 children in the laparoscopic group and in 5 cases in control group. The duration of the procedure was noted and compared to open inguinal hernia repair. There was a statistically shorter duration of the laparoscopic method. In the control group, there were 16 patients with a metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia.ConclusionThe laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was associated with a better assessment of hernia pathology, shorter operative time, and lower risk of contralateral hernia repair.

Ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block, and quadratus lumborum block for elective open inguinal hernia repair in children: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesUltrasound-guided ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve blocks and transverse abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are widely used for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair (IHR). Quadratus lumborum block (QLB)...

Comparison of Inguinal Herniotomies with and Without Opening the External Oblique Aponeurosis in Children Above the Age of Two.

Mitchell-Banks technique (MBT), in which inguinal canal is not opened, usually used in inguinal hernia repair in children under 2 years of age. The majority of pediatric surgeons tend to open the inguinal canal while performing inguinal hernia surgery in children over 2 years of age, called as modified Ferguson herniotomy (FH). This study aimed to compare early and late complications of the MBT and FH in over 2 years of age patients who underwent inguinal hernia surgery. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all children between 2 and 16 years old who underwent inguinal herniotomy procedure using the MBT and FH between January 2013 and December 2019. Patients were evaluated in terms of demographic data, early and late complications. This study included 834 children. Of these, 379 (44.8%) were operated on by an FH with opening the inguinal canal (Group 1), and 455 (55.2%) by MBT superficially to the external ring (Group 2). There were 68 (17.9%) females and 311 (82.1%) males in group 1, while there were 151 (33.2%) females and 304 (66.8%) males in group 2. Early complications were wound infection (1.1% in the group 1 vs. 1.3% in the group 2, P = 1.00) and scrotal hematoma (1.3% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.89). Late complications included recurrence (1.6% in the group 1 vs. 1.8% in the group 2, P = 0.12), undescended testis (2.1% vs. 0.7%, P = 0.71), testicular atrophy (1.5% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.79), and hydrocele (1.9% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.87). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of early and late complications ratio between two groups. This study showed that inguinal hernia repair performed without opening the inguinal canal in children older than 2 years do not lead to an increase in complications. In this respect, MBT can be used as a simple and safe procedure in older children.

Laparoscopic phelps approach in children with inguinal hernia: a retrospective comparative study

To evaluate the effectiveness of a new method of inguinal hernia repair in children (PHELPS) first proposed by the authors compared to another laparoscopic method (SEAL). The study demonstrated the results of laparoscopic treatment of 729 patients with inguinal hernias. Of these, 255 patients underwent PHELPS procedure. Other 474 patients underwent SEAL procedure. The difference between both methods is that hernial ligature is passed around the hernial sac in case of PHELPS. SEAL procedure implies capture of tissues of anterior abdominal wall (muscles and aponeurosis) into this knot. We analyzed whether this factor can lead to less incidence of recurrence and hydrocele. Both groups were comparable by age, body weight and gender. Median of surgery time including correction of unilateral and bilateral hernia was similar (20.0 [10.0; 20.0] min versus 15.0 [15.0; 20.0] min; p=0.666). We found faster patient recovery after PHELPS procedure for inguinal hernia including much less doses of postoperative analgesia (1.0 [1.0; 1.0] versus 1.0 [1.0; 2.0]; p<0.001) and shorter hospital-stay (8.0 [8.0; 8.0] hours versus 8.0 [8.0; 9.0] hours; p=0.010). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative hydrocele (0 versus 6; p=0.097). Nevertheless, recurrence rate differed significantly (0 versus 17; p=0.001). PHELPS procedure is characterized by lower incidence of recurrence and accelerated postoperative recovery compared to SEAL technique.