Experiences on Micro-laparoscopic Hernioplasty in Infants and Children: Report of 4500 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the causes and preventions of the perioperative complications of micro-laparoscopic hernioplasty in infants and children with indirect inguinal hernia.Methods From January 1997 to January 2007,4500 infants or children with indirect inguinal hernia,including 702 cases who were complicated with hydrocele testis,were treated by micro-laparoscopic hernioplasty in our hospital.By laparoscopy,the endocycle was sutured circularly under the peritoneum using a self-designed needle.Then,only the peritoneum was ligated.Results No organ injury or complication occurred during the operation.The mean operation time was 9 min(5-13 min).Among the patients,4250 received a follow-up of 7-36 months(mean,25 months).Postoperative complications were found in 132 patients(3.1%),included scrotal gas in 10(0.24%),scrotal hydrocele in 16(0.38%),umbilical hernia in 27(0.64%),extraperitoneal emphysema in 20(0.47%),abdominal wall hematoma at the burr hole in 15(0.35%),foreign body sensation at the suture sites in 30(0.71%),scrotal hematoma in 8(0.19%),and iatrogenic cryptorchism in 6(0.14%).Thirty-five patients had recurrence(0.82%).Conclusions Micro-laparoscopic hernioplasty is a safe and reliable method for indirect inguinal hernia in infants and children.It is important to be familiar with the anatomy of the hernia under a laparoscope and to perform the operation carefully so that to avoid or decrease the perioperative complications.