ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect and value of the application of the median umbilical fold in laparoscopic treatment for indirect inguinal hernia in children.Methods A total of 105 cases of pediatric indirect inguinal hernia(including 32 cases of incarcerated hernia, 25 cases of bilateral hernia,and 6 cases of recurrent hernia after open surgery) was treated with laparoscopic high ligation of the hernia sac and repair with the median umbilical fold from January 2004 to August 2005.The operation was performed through two or three trocars.Under laparoscopic visualization,the internal ring was identified for a purse-string suture.Then the median umbilical fold was sutured on the internal ring to repair the defect.Results The operation was successfully performed under laparoscope in all the 105 cases.The operative time was 10~25 min(mean,15 min) for unilateral hernia and 20~35 min(mean,25 min) for bilateral hernia.The intraoperative blood loss was hardly seen.The length of hospital stay was 2~3 days.The postoperative recovery was uneventful,without intestinal adhesion,infection,or hematoma of the scrotum.Follow-up observations in the 105 cases for 5~24 months(mean,18 months) found no recurrence.Conclusions Laparoscopic high ligation of the hernia sac and repair with the median umbilical fold is safe and effect for pediatric indirect inguinal hernia,with advantages of mini-invasion,simple performance,short operation time,low complication rate,and quick recovery.