title: Herniotomy in resource-scarce environment: Comparison of incisions and techniques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are various methods for surgical treatment of hernia and hydrocele in children with variable cost-effectiveness, recovery and cosmetic outcomes. This study analyses our experience with mini-incision/invasive herniotomy in children in resource-limited centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred and eighty-four n = 784 patients underwent herniotomy via conventional and mini-invasive methods were assigned into Group A and Group B. Three hundred and seventy-six n = 376 (47.95%) in Group A while four hundred and eight n = 408 (52.04%) in Group B. Eight hundred and seventeen (817) herniotomy was performed. Demographic data, hernia/hydrocele sides, volume of surgical suture used, surgery duration, and complications analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Right side hernia and/or hydrocele were 464 (59.18%). 287 (36.60%) had left sided while 33 (4.21%) had bilateral hernia and/or hydrocele. There were 14 bilateral hernia repair in Group A and 19 in Group B. The lengths of operation time for unilateral repair ranged from 14 to 54 min in Group A (median, 23 min) and 7-44 min in Group B (median, 15 min) with a mean surgical duration of 15.48 ± 4.16 min in Group B versus 23.41 ± 5.94 min in Group A (P < 0.001) while the range of the lengths of operation time for bilateral repair in Group A was 20-54 min (median, 36) and 12-30 min (median, 21) in Group B with a mean duration of 36.35 ± 9.89 min in Group A versus 20.42 ± 4.83 min in Group B P = 0.00563. 376 sachets of 45 cm suture material were used in Group A versus 137 in Group B. There were total of 87 (23.13%) complications in Group A versus 3 (1.47%) in Group B P = 0.000513. Superficial wound infection and abscess were 9 (2.36%) and 16 (4.25%) in Group A versus none (0) in Group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-incision/invasive herniotomy in children and adolescents is fast, cost-effective with satisfactory cosmetic outcome and limited complications.
authors: Department of Surgery, Murtala Mohammad Specialist Hospital, Children Surgical Unit, Kano, Nigeria.
authors: Musa
authors: M
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Kabir Ibrahim
authors: KI
authors: Getso
authors: Mohammad Aminu
authors: MA
authors: Mohammad
authors: Nurlan Nurkenovich
authors: NN
authors: Akhparov
authors: Rassulbek Rakhmanberdievich
authors: RR
authors: Aipov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult