Laparoscopic Herniotomy in Female Children: Our Experience in 110 Patients

Abstract

Aim of the study: To assess the results and complications of laparoscopic herniotomy in female children using percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS). Materials and methods: One hundred and ten consecutive female children who were admitted with a unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia from January 2015 to June 2018 to a medical college referral hospital were included in the study. The technique used was PIRS, using spinal needle 23 gaze and 3.0 prolene. All patients were followed up postoperatively. Babies with recurrent hernias and complicated inguinal hernia were excluded from this study. Results: A total of 110 female children with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia were included in the study. Age ranged from 1 month to 15 years with a mean age of 3 years. The clinically unilateral hernia was present in 80 children but the patent internal ring was present on the contralateral side in 25 children and was repaired simultaneously. The bilateral inguinal hernia was present in 30 children. The total number of hernia units was 165. The mean operative time was 15 minutes, ranging from 12 minutes to 20 minutes for unilateral hernia and 15-30 minutes for a bilateral hernia. The mean postoperative stay was 1 day. The follow-up period ranged from 7 days to 2 years. Two babies had hematoma at the internal ring during the procedure, subsided with no postoperative sequel. One child developed hernia on contralateral side, who was operated for contralateral patent ring during repair of an ipsilateral clinical hernia. None other children who were operated for clinical hernia had a recurrence. Conclusion: Laparoscopic herniotomy using the technique of PIRS is safe, quick with minimal postoperative pain, and short hospital stay, and had a very low incidence of recurrence.