A purse-string suture at the level of internal inguinal ring, taking only the peritoneum leaving the distal sac: is it enough for inguinal hernia in pediatric patients?

PURPOSE: Although laparoscopic surgery in children has expanded in recent years. Laparoscopic hernia repair in children is still debatable. We aimed to summarize and describe our results of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and techniques among children.

METHODS: Between March 2011 and April 2013, 98 children (67 male, 31 female) underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at the department of surgery. The clinical outcomes were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 22.6 months. Twelve patients were ex-premature infants and a contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) was present in 37 of the 91 unilateral inguinal hernia patients. There were two postoperative complications (transient hydrocele, umbilical port site infection). The mean operative time was 46 min. Recurrence, metachronous hernia and testicular atrophy were not observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experiences suggest that the laparoscopic purse-string suture of internal inguinal opening of hernia sac could be a safe, effective, and reliable alternative for management of pediatric inguinal hernia.