Characteristics and recent therapeutic trends of pediatric inguinal hernia

ABSTRACT

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical disease that pediatric surgeons deal with. This article provides an overview of pediatric inguinal hernia and a review of the current evidence about variable laparoscopic operative options and their results. In recent years, the use of laparoscopic procedures has gained increased popularity. Most of the laparoscopic repairing methods for pediatric inguinal hernia have similar results with open surgery when it comes to recurrence rates and complication rates. They have shorter operative time for bilateral hernia, less contralateral metachronous hernia and less invasive for vas deference and testicular vessels. The laparoscopic repair can be an alternative of open repair. Further research comparing the different laparoscopic approaches including long term outcome will be needed.