Laparoscopic Paediatric Hernia Repair Using Tuohy Needle - Our Preliminary Experience of 100 Cases

Congenital inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly encountered paediatric surgical procedures. With advancements in minimal access surgery, there is an increasing inclination towards the repair of paediatric inguinal hernia (PIH) laparoscopically over an open procedure. Currently, a single port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure, a simple and reliable method, is being used widely. METHODS100 patients with PIH were treated using a single port LPEC technique from August 2014 to July 2018. The study was conducted with a modified LPEC technique using a Tuohy needle. The deep ring was encircled with the help of Tuohy needle under laparoscopic visualization and a suture was passed through it. The needle was then used to encircle the ring from the opposite side and the initial suture was retrieved with the help of a loop, and a purse string was created to obliterate the deep ring with extracorporeal knotting. RESULTS100 congenital hernias were repaired by LPEC method. Mean age was 5.85 ± 2 years. Male to female ratio was 7.3 : 1. 96% of cases were unilateral and 4 % were bilateral preoperatively. PPV was found in 8% of cases intraoperatively. Mean operating time was 22.08 ± 10.2 and 27.6 ± 11.47 minutes for unilateral and bilateral cases respectively. There were no intraoperative complications and no recurrences. Only one patient developed wound infection. CONCLUSIONSLPEC of hernial sac using a Tuohy needle is a safe and effective method for the repair of PIH. It is easy to perform, faster, and offers good cosmesis with cure for imminent contralateral hernias.

Comparison of the Results of Contralateral Exploration in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

Contralateral groin exploration (CGE) in children with unilateral inguinal hernia remains controversial. Between January 2002 and December 2007, 1967 pediatric patients with inguinal hernia were treated by two surgeons with different criteria of CGE (group A; boys younger than 2 years, older boys prematurely delivered, and all girls, B; birth weight lower than 2kg with inguinal hernia presentation within 6 months after birth, and suspicious physical findings) at Samsung medical center. Patient's age, sex, body weight, diagnosis, and metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MIH) incidence were analyzed retrospectively. Among 895 patients in group A, CGE was performed in 460 patients (66.4%) and MIH incidence was 1.7%. In group B, 31 patients (3.5%) had CGE among 1072 patients, and MIH incidence was 4.2%. The average hospital costs of group A and B were 763,956 won and 500,708 won, respectively. The CGE criteria of group B had advantage in total hospital cost. The primary site and the age at presentation had a signiticant effect on the incidence of MIH. But MIH incidence was low and the more contralateral explorations lead to increase of total costs. Therefore, routine contralateral groin exploration and surgery for a patent processus vaginalis could not be justified.

Usefulness of Ultrasonography in Potential Bilateral Inguinal Hernia of Children

Inguinal hernia is the most frequent problem requiring surgery in children. Moreover, subsequent contralateral occurrence after repair of the symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia(UIH) is not rare. This study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of inguinal ultrasonography (IUS) for potential bilateral inguinal hernia(BIH). A prospective study was performed for preschool children less than 6 years of age who were diagnosed as UIH from July 1999 to December 2000. We selected 58 cases with potential BIH, based on the past history, such as prematurity, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, family history of BIH, hernia on the left side (LIH), age below 2, female, and contralateral positive silk glove sign on the physical examination. Screening with IUS and bilateral surgical exploration were applied on these cases. Forty-seven cases were males (81.0%) and 11 cases were females(19.0%). Thirty-four were infants. Symptomatic right inguinal hernia (RIH) were 28 (48.3%), and LIH were 30 cases (51.7%). Six cases had no evidence of contralateral patent process vaginalis (PPV) by IUS but showed contralateral PPV by operation, Two cases were suspicious to contralateral PPV under IUS, but operative findings were negative. Fifty cases showed contralateral PPV by IUS as well as operation. The detection rate of contralateral PPV under IUS was 86.2%. The preoperative IUS may reduce contralateral exploration.