Outcomes following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in infants compared with older children.
OBJECTIVE
Indications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in infants and children remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical features and outcome of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in infants with older children.


METHODS
Retrospective single centre review of all patients <16 years of age (n = 380) undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair over a 5-year period (Jan 2005-Dec 2009). Outcomes were compared between infants (≤ 12 months of age) with older children (1-15 years).


RESULTS
There was a trend towards higher recurrence rate in older children than in infants (4 % vs. 1 %; p = 0.17). Total complications and complications requiring surgery were similar in both age groups. There was one testicular atrophy in an infant who had an incarcerated inguinal hernia. The incidence of bilateral inguinal hernia and contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) were both significantly higher in infants (total 61 % compared with 35 % in older children).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in infants is safe and carries acceptable complication and recurrence rates. The laparoscopic approach may be particularly beneficial in infants since it allows simultaneous closure of a contralateral PPV and bilateral herniae. The outcome of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in older children requires further evaluation.
Surgery Unit, Department of Paediatric Surgery, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
Wonyong
W
Choi
Nigel J
NJ
Hall
Massimo
M
Garriboli
Ori
O
Ron
Joseph I
JI
Curry
Kate
K
Cross
David P
DP
Drake
Edward M
EM
Kiely
Simon
S
Eaton
Paolo
P
De Coppi
Agostino
A
Pierro
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome