Minilaparoscopic herniorrhaphy in pediatric inguinal hernia: a durable alternative treatment tostandard herniotomy

BackgroundThe purpose of the article is to report our long-term results of minilaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children.MethodsBetween September 2003 and September 2008, 161 children with inguinal hernia were treated with minilaparoscopic herniorrhaphy. The asymptomatic contralateral internal ring was routinely explored and repaired if a patent processus vaginalis of not less than 2 cm was noted. Patients who were followed for less than 1 year and those who were lost to follow-up were excluded from the study. Intraoperative and postoperative complications and hernia recurrences were documented.ResultsIn total, 146 patients were eligible for final analysis. A total of 196 minilaparoscopic herniorrhaphies were performed. The mean follow-up period was 3 years. There were 4 hernia recurrences (2%) in 3 boys. There were no procedure-related complications. None of the patients with a negative contralateral exploration or a contralateral patent processus vaginalis of less than 2 cm had a contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia.ConclusionsOur long-term results reveal that minilaparoscopic herniorrhaphy combined with hernia sac transection is a safe and effective alternative treatment to standard open herniotomy.