A simple technique of laparoscopic full-thickness anterior abdominal wall repair of retrosternal (Morgagni) hernias.
OBJECTIVE
Previous reports of laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernias in children have involved relatively complex laparoscopic techniques. This report describes a simpler method of repair that we have applied to 4 children.


METHODS
Four children with retrosternal (Morgagni) hernias underwent primary laparoscopic repair by placement of interrupted synthetic nonabsorbable sutures through the full-thickness of the anterior abdominal wall, incorporating the posterior rim of the defect and returning back out through the anterior abdominal wall, with the sutures tied in the subcutaneous tissue.


RESULTS
The children, ranging in age from 11 to 36 months, underwent laparoscopic repair of their Morgagni hernias and had an uneventful postoperative recovery, apart from a port site hernia in one.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique for primary laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia is easy to perform, well tolerated by the patient, and gives excellent cosmetic results. Laparoscopic closure of the defect by suturing the posterior rim of the hernia to the full thickness of the anterior abdominal wall would appear to provide a safe and effective means of repairing this type of hernia.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Georges
G
Azzie
Kiki
K
Maoate
Spencer
S
Beasley
Wilhelm
W
Retief
Arie
A
Bensoussan
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques