Complications of inguinal hernia surgery in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the postoperative complications of elective inguinal hernia surgery in children


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Surgical Unit B, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, from February 2004 to November 2005.


METHODS
Children with inguinal hernia, admitted electively through surgical outpatient, were included. Patients operated earlier and presenting with complications were excluded. Patients with concomitant diseases, regarded as predisposing factors for hernia development, were also excluded. Physical examination and relevant investigations (hemoglobin level and ultrasound of scrotum) were performed. Inguinal hernia was repaired electively by Rehbein procedure. Patients were followed at day 7, 1 month, 3 months and 9 months to note the postoperative complications of the surgery. Ultrasound was repeated at 6 and 9 months postoperatively for the size of testes.


RESULTS
A total of 223 patients with inguinal hernia were included in the study. Age ranged from 8 days to 12 years. There were 188 males with 75 patients under 1 year of age. The longest follow-up was upto 9 months in 133 patients. The complications of scrotal edema occurred in 6 (2.97%), haematoma in 1(0.49%), wound infection in 2 (0.99%) and 5 events of recurrence of hernia in 4 patients. All appeared within 3 months of follow-up. Four recurrent hernia were operated. In all cases intact sac was found. No patient developed decrease in size of testes nor ascent of testes was noted at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
in this series, there were minimal complications observed in relation to inguinal hernia surgery.
Taqvi
Syed Raees Hussain
SR
Department of Paediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi. taqvi@cyber.net.pk
Akhtar
Jamshed
J
Batool
Tayyaba
T
Tabassum
Razia
R
Mirza
Farhat
F
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D014463:Ultrasonography