Modified percutaneous internal ring suturing with peritoneal injury in children: matched comparison to open hernia repair

Major Complication Caused by Inguinal Hernia Recurrence After Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing Procedure in a Patient With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: A Case Report

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed procedures in pediatric surgery. Treatment methods include classical open repair and laparoscopic approach. In this report we analyze a case of a 14-month-old boy with Loeys-Dietz syndrome treated for an inguinal hernia with laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS). Two weeks post-operatively the patient was diagnosed with a recurrence of the hernia complicated by an intestine strangulation. As a re-operation of the hernia, the Lichtenstein method was applied successfully. We analyzed the literature to determine the safety and possible contradictions of the PIRS procedure, with particular emphasis on patients with comorbidities such as connective tissue disorders. We conclude that in the PIRS procedure, despite its safety, feasibility and low complication rate in healthy patients, too few studies were made to draw similar conclusions for patients with comorbidities such as connective tissue disorders.

Comparison of Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing (PIRS) versus Open Ligation of the Patent Processus Vaginalis for the Treatment of Communicating Pediatric Hydrocele

BACKGROUND

Although the laparoscopic approach become standard for the treatment of many surgical conditions many studies still debating whether laparoscopic surgery has significant advantages over open surgery in regards to hernia or hydrocele treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of treatment of treatment of communicating hydrocele in pediatric patients between laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) and open ligation of the patent processus vaginalis (PPV).

METHODS

The medical records of pediatric patients who underwent surgery for communicating hydrocele between 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the outcomes of treatment (complications and recurrence rates) of communicating hydrocele in children between laparoscopic and open surgical approaches. Secondary outcomes of the study are the duration of surgery and anesthesia, length of hospital stay (LOS), frequency of hospital readmissions (ReAd) and unplanned return to the operating room (uROR).

RESULTS

A total of 198 children underwent surgery for a communicating hydrocele (205 repairs, as 7 cases were bilateral) and were included in the study. Of these, 87 children underwent a PIRS, while the remaining 111 cases underwent open ligation of the PPV. No recurrence of the hydrocele was observed in any of the study groups. Intraoperative complication (epigastric vein injury) was noted in two cases in both groups (2.3% vs. 1.8%, p > 0.999). A slightly higher number of postoperative complications was observed in the open group (n = 7, 6.3%) compared to the PIRS group (n = 2, 2.3%) (p = 0.190). The median duration of surgery (15 min (IQR 10, 17) vs. 21 min (IQR 15, 25); p < 0.001) and anesthesia (30 min (IQR 25, 40) vs. 40 min (IQR 35, 40); p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the PIRS group compared to open ligation of the PPV. In addition, a significantly shorter median of LOS was observed in the PIRS group compared to the open PPV group (9 h (IQR 8, 12) vs. 24 h (IQR 12, 24; p < 0.001). No cases of ReAd and uROR were observed in any of the study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

PIRS is a safe and effective laparoscopic technique that can be used in the treatment of communicating hydrocele in children. PIRS showed excellent outcomes and a low incidence of complications and recurrences, comparable to traditional open surgery.

Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair Versus Open Repair in Boys with Inguinal Hernia: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric inguinal hernia is a common surgical problem in boys. Open hernia repair surgery (OH) has been traditionally used to treat this condition, but it leads to complications, such as testicular complications. Laparoscopic hernia repair by using the extraperitoneal method (LHE) is performed through the percutaneous insertion of sutures and extracorporeal closure of patent vaginalis processus; thus, injury to spermatic cord structures is avoided. However, a meta-analysis comparing LHE and OH is lacking.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of the retrieved studies was performed, and a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect size. The primary outcome was testicular complications, including ascending testis, hydrocele, and testicular atrophy. The secondary outcomes were surgical metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH), ipsilateral hernia recurrence, and operation time.

RESULTS

In total, 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 20 non-RCTs involving 17,555 boys were included. The incidence of ascending testis (risk ratio [RR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.78; p = 0.008) and MCIH (RR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.07-0.43; p = 0.0002) was significantly lower in LHE than in OH. The incidence of hydrocele, testicular atrophy, and ipsilateral hernia recurrence did not differ between LHE and OH.

CONCLUSION

Compared with OH, LHE led to fewer or equivalent testicular complications without increasing ipsilateral hernia recurrence. Moreover, MCIH incidence was lower in LHE than in OH. Hence, LHE could be a feasible choice with less invasiveness for inguinal hernia repair in boys.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Treatment study, LEVEL III.

Reduction of recurrence by peritoneal thermal injury in laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure of internal ring for inguinal hernia in children

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of peritoneal thermal injury (PTI) in the reduction of recurrence incidence in laparoscopic percutaneous extra-peritoneal closure of internal ring (LPEC) for pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH) in children.

METHODS

Medical records of patients undergoing LPEC for PIH at our center were reviewed and divided into 2 groups: Group A (period from June 2017 to December 2017)-without PTI and Group B (period from January 2018 to December 2018) with PTI. The surgical technique and the type of suture used for LPEC were the same for both groups. The outcomes of the two groups were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

277 patients with 283 IHs in group A were compared to 376 patients with 389 IHs in group B. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, uni- or bilateral hernia. At a median follow-up period of 48 months, there was no hydrocele, suture granuloma, testicular atrophy, or iatrogenic cryptorchidism in both groups. The recurrence rate in group A was 6.4%, significantly higher than 1.8% in group B (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that PTI in LPEC for PIH is safe and associated with a significant reduction of recurrence incidence.

A comparison of operative and anesthetic techniques for inguinal hernia repair in infants

BACKGROUND

Pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is increasingly performed using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) but has only recently been described using caudal block without endotracheal intubation. We evaluated the surgical outcomes and resource utilization of infants undergoing hernia repair, comparing both the operative approach (open/MIS) and anesthetic technique (general anesthesia [GA]/caudal).

METHODS

All infants <1 year-of-age undergoing elective IHR without concomitant procedures from July 2016 to July 2021 at a single tertiary care teaching center were retrospectively reviewed. Eight surgeons and 25 anesthesiologists contributed patients, with approach dictated by practitioner preference. Data collected included patient demographics, surgical and anesthetic details, and operating room (OR) utilization metrics. Post-operative complications were evaluated and aggregated, including recurrent hernia, metachronous hernia, hematoma, hydrocele, testicular atrophy, and acquired cryptorchidism. Descriptive statistics were performed with R Studios (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the 338 patients included for analysis, most underwent an open procedure (n = 275) while anesthetic technique was evenly split between GA (n = 185) and caudal (n = 153). Most patients were male (87.6%) and born premature: mean gestational age of 31.4 ± 4.1 weeks. MIS-to-Open conversion was noted once (3.3%) in the GA MIS group, but none in caudal. Median follow up was 2.5 (1.4-3.8) years. No differences were noted in aggregate surgical complication rates (p = 0.4). The Caudal Open group had the shortest total OR time (p < 0.01); caudal anesthesia shortened post-procedure times (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

MIS IHR performed under caudal block and sedation yields comparable complication rates compared to the open approach or GA. Open IHR with caudal blockade was the most efficient operative room utilization.

TYPE OF STUDY

Original Article, Clinical Research.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Comparison of Two Laparoscopic Techniques in Management of Pediatric Inguinal Hernias

Introduction: Many studies focus on comparing outcomes of the open method for inguinal hernia repair (IHR) and the laparoscopic method. However, few studies compare different laparoscopic techniques. With over a dozen different techniques described in the literature for laparoscopic IHR, significant opportunities exist to study the efficacy of each technique. We investigated outcomes of a subcutaneous endoscopically assisted transfixion ligation (SEATL) technique and a percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS). Materials and Methods: After receiving institutional review board approval, we completed a retrospective chart review of IHR performed at our pediatric tertiary care center between September 2015 and May 2020. We included all patients under the age of 18 years. We separated laparoscopic repairs from total repairs. Laparoscopic repairs were further divided into their respective techniques. Factors involving patient demographics, operative details, and postoperative complications were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Results: There was a total of 131 IHRs performed with SEATL and 124 IHRs performed with PIRS. Median operative time (minutes) differed significantly (P = .001) with SEATL at 49 (28-66) and PIRS at 55 (37-76)] minutes. Significantly more incarcerated hernias were repaired with PIRS (n = 13) than with SEATL (n = 3, P = .006). SEATL had a higher number of postoperative complications; the most significant were granulomas (n = 3, P = .09) and recurrent hernias (n = 12, P < .001). Conclusion: SEATL had a significantly higher number of postoperative complications. This may be a result of multiple factors including but not limited to the absence of electrocautery, a shorter median operative time, and utilization of absorbable suture. Modifications have been made to this technique to reduce risk of postoperative complications.

Benefits of Contralateral Patent Processus Vaginalis Closure During Laparoscopic Surgery for Inguinal Hernia in Female Children

After more than a decade, an accurate description of the current state of pediatric inguinal hernia repair still an issue of contention. Improvement of techniques together with patient-entered intervention that account for the experiences related to individual disease characteristics have become an important factor of which the surgeon must be aware. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze a potential treatment for metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) in children during laparoscopic assisted percutaneous internal inguinal ring suturing (PIRS). In a prospective clinical study, carried out at the University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia, we analyzed the data from 49 female children, aged 1-14 years old, with clinically diagnosed congenital inguinal hernia treated via PIRS. The position of hernias on the right side was 29 (59.2%) on the left side was 19 (38.8%) and on both sides was 1 (2.0%). With intraoperative assessment, it was determined that in 33 (67.3%) participants there was no presence of a hidden hernia, while in 16 (32.7%), there was indeed the presence of a hidden hernia. Of the hidden hernias determined laparoscopically [16 (100%)], 8 (50%) were left and right hidden hernias, all treated laparoscopically. The PIRS technique is a procedure where the basic advanced treatment is exploration. This also included the adequate treatment of other pathologies, such as the prophylactic closure of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis with simultaneous treatment as there is the potential for hernia in future, therefore reducing the number of metachronous inguinal hernias.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair with the Extraperitoneal Approach versus Open Hernia Repair in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic hernia repair with the extraperitoneal approach in pediatric inguinal hernias.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation in pediatric surgical practice. Although open hernia repair (OHR) is a well-established procedure with good outcomes, studies have reported acceptable or even better outcomes of laparoscopic hernia repair with the extraperitoneal approach (LHRE). However, a meta-analysis comparing LHRE with OHR is lacking.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies (prospective or retrospective). Outcomes were metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH), hernia recurrence, surgical site infection, operation time, and hospitalization length. A meta-analysis was performed, and risk ratios (RR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Five RCTs and 21 comparative studies involving 24,479 patients were included. Lower MCIH incidence (RR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.17; p < 0.00001) and a trend of shorter operation time (WMD: -11.90 min, 95% CI: -16.63 to -7.44; p < 0.00001) were found in the LHRE group. No significant differences in ipsilateral recurrence hernias, surgical site infection, and length of hospitalization were found between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

LHRE presented lower MCIH incidence and shorter operation times, with no increase in hernia recurrence, surgical site infection, or length of hospitalization. As more surgeons are increasingly becoming familiar with LHRE, LHRE would be a feasible and effective choice for pediatric inguinal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic iliopubic tract repair to treat recurrent pediatric inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND

Congenital defects, such as open processus vaginalis and the canal of Nuck, are common causes of primary pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH). However, in some patients, PIH occurs via acquired defects rather than congenital defects. The most representative cause of PIH is recurrent hernia. Recurrent PIH is treated with high ligation (HL), which is the same method that is used to treat primary PIH. However, the re-recurrence rate of recurrent PIH is high. This study aimed to compare laparoscopic iliopubic tract repair (IPTR) with laparoscopic HL for the treatment of recurrent PIH after primary PIH repair.

METHODS

From June 2013 to March 2019, 126 patients (< 10 years old) with recurrent PIH were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the operative technique: laparoscopic HL (58 patients) and laparoscopic IPTR (68 patients). With HL, the hernial sac was removed and the peritoneum closed. With IPTR, iliopubic tract and transversalis fascia sutures were applied.

RESULTS

There were no cases of conversion to open surgery. Re-recurrence only occurred in the HL group; no patients in the IPTR group developed re-recurrence (8.6% [5/58] vs. 0.0% [0/68], respectively; p = 0.044). The mean duration from re-operation to re-recurrence in these five patients was 10.6 months. Other surgical outcomes and complications did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic IPTR is an effective surgical treatment for reducing re-recurrence of recurrent PIH.

Transumbilical Single-Site Laparoscopic Intraperitoneal Closure of the Internal Inguinal Ring for Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

BACKGROUND

A new novel technique for pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH) repair, namely, transumbilical single-site laparoscopic intraperitoneal closure (TUSLIC) of the internal inguinal ring (IIR) with a single instrument, was introduced. The short-term follow-up of TUSLIC for PIH was compared with that of transabdominal multiple-site laparoscopic extraperitoneal closure (TAMLEC) for PIH.

METHODS

Descriptive variables, perioperative clinical features, and short-term outcomes were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the patients who underwent TUSLIC and those who underwent TAMLEC.

RESULTS

In total, 289 patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 190 patients received TUSLIC, and 99 patients received TAMLEC. The descriptive variables (including sex, age, weight, and preoperative diagnosis of patients) were comparable between the two groups (P-values were 0.12, 0.71, 0.69, and 0.23, respectively). The mean operative times for unilateral hernia repair and bilateral hernia repairs in TAMLEC group were significantly less than those in TUSLIC group (P < 0.01). The values of surgical site infection, umbilical bleeding, testicular atrophy, iatrogenic ascent of the testis, and secondary hydrocele were not significantly different between the two groups. There were no suture granulomas, and recurrence occurred in TUSLIC group, though at a significantly lower rate than in TAMLEC group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TUSLIC is a feasible, safe, and reliable minimally invasive method for PIH. Compared with TAMLEC, TUSLIC has the advantages of minimized complications and a low recurrence rate.

Comparison of laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing method and open inguinal hernia repair in children under 3 months of age

Objective: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in younger infants has not been completely accepted worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasiblity of laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing method in children aged younger than 3 months and compare the recurrence and complication rates with open repair; which may still be mentioned as the gold standard procedure.

Material and Methods: A total of 387 children underwent inguinal hernia repair in the clinic between 2016 and 2019. One hundred and forty of them were under 3 months old and divided into two groups; children who underwent laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing (Group 1) and open surgery (Group 2). Selection of the surgical method was regardless of weight, sex or any patient characteristics other than surgeon’s choice. Operation durations, complications and recurrences were compared between the two groups.

Results: A total of 140 patients underwent surgery due to inguinal hernia. Group 1 included 85 and Group 2 included 55 children. There were two recurrences in each group (p> 0.05). Operative durations were shorter in Group 1 for both; unilateral and bilateral repairs (< 0.0001). There were no intraoperative complications in any group. There was one major postoperative complication in Group 2: iatrogenic undescended testis, and none was observed in Group 1. In the laparoscopic group, 47% of the children who were diagnosed to have unilateral hernia were revealed to have bilateral inguinal hernias (n= 31).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing method seems favourable in terms of operative time. It also has the advantage of detecting contralateral patent processus vaginalis or asymptomatic contralateral inguinal hernia.

Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure with peritoneum reinforcement repair for pediatric inguinal hernia: a single-center experience with over 2,000 patients

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia is one of the common diseases in infants and children that requires operative treatment. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children has become an alternative to the open procedure. Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure with peritoneum reinforcement (LPECPR) is a safe and effective approach for pediatric inguinal hernia, and has a lower recurrence. This is a retrospective study to present our experience with children who underwent LPECPR.

METHODS

A total of 2,018 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent LPECPR in our hospital from July, 2011 to December, 2020 were reviewed. The surgical technique is modified on the basis of laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) to close extraperitoneally by circuit suturing twice around the internal inguinal ring.

RESULTS

All cases were completed LPECPR without conversion. There were no intraoperative complications. A total of 2,018 patients' laparoscopic procedures were achieved. The mean operative time was 14 and 20 min for unilateral and bilateral operations, respectively. Follow-up to date is 13.4 months (6-36 months), there were no postoperative complications, such as knot reactions, hydrocele formation, testicular atrophy or pain, except 3 recurrences (3/2,018, 0.15%).

CONCLUSIONS

This modified LPECPR technique can acquire lower recurrence rate for repair pediatric inguinal hernia. The midterm safety and efficacy of LPECPR are proven and it can be a routine procedure.