Needlescopic inguinal hernia repair in children.

The object of the present study was to assess the value and outcome of needlescopy in the treatment of inguinal hernia (IH) in 150 children operated upon in Al-Mishary Hospital, Riyadh, between October 1997 and October 1999. Their ages ranged between 6 and 96 months, (mean 61.6 +/- 28.32 months). There were 130 males and 20 females; 81 (54%) presented with a right-sided IH and among these patients a hidden contralateral hernia was diagnosed in 12 cases (8%). A left-sided IH was present in 30 (20%) bilateral IHs in 19 cases (12.66%), a recurrent hernia in 15 (10%), and an incarcerated hernia in 5 (3.33%). All patients were subjected to needlescopic herniotomy using a 2.7-mm telescope and two 2-mm needle holders to close the internal ring with a 4/0 PDS suture. The mean duration of surgery was 20.6 +/- 4.65 min for unilateral and 26.4 +/- 1.6 min for bilateral hernia repair. The mean hospital stay was 18 +/- 3.23 h. The study showed that laparoscopic closure of the internal ring in children is feasible, easy, and preferable to open surgery. The fact that laparoscopy can diagnose a hidden contralateral hernia is an additional advantage.