Laparoscopic management of recurrent inguinal hernia in childhood

BackgroundOpen repair of recurrent inguinal hernias [RIH] in infancy and childhood is difficult and there is definite risk of damaging the vas deferens and testicular vessels. Laparoscopic repair of RIH has the benefit of avoiding the previous operative site. The aim of this study is to present our experience with laparoscopic repair of RIH either after open or laparoscopic hernia repair with stress on technical refinements to prevent recurrence.Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective study of laparoscopic repair of RIH. Records of 38 patients with 42 recurrent hernial defects that have been subjected to laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair [LIHR] for RIH were reviewed and evaluated. The primary outcome measurements of this study include; operative time and recurrence rate. The secondary outcomes include intraoperative and postoperative complications, hydrocele formation and testicular atrophy.ResultsIn this study 38 children with 42 recurrent hernial defects [4 patients had bilateral recurrent hernia] were operated upon laparoscopically. They were 34 males and 4 females with a mean age of 2.54 ± 1.989 years (range = 0.58–10.00 years). In 35 hernial defects the recurrence developed after open herniotomy, while in 7 hernial defects it occurred after laparoscopic repair. All procedures were completed laparoscopically without any conversion and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications during this study. Mean operating time was 15 ± 2.3 minutes for unilateral and 20 ± 1.7 minutes for bilateral inguinal hernia. All patients achieved full recovery and were discharged on the same day of admission. Two patients developed hydroceles that responded well to conservative management. At mean follow-up of 12.7 ± 2 months (range = 8–38.4 months), there was no recurrence, no testicular atrophy.ConclusionLaparoscopic repair of RIH in infancy and childhood is an attractive option that avoids the difficulties of redo surgery in scarred operative field with delicate structures liable to injury even with expert operator.