Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure for inguinal hernia in children: clinical outcome of 972 repairs done in 3 pediatric surgical institutions.

Background/purpose: In 1995, we developed laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) to treat inguinal hernias in children. This study evaluated LPEC's safety, efficacy, and reliability in 3 hospitals.

Methods: In 2 hospitals, LPEC was the standard procedure used to repair inguinal hernias in children, and in 1 hospital, it was done optionally in girls. During LPEC, a 4.5-mm laparoscope was placed through an umbilical incision, a 2-mm grasping forceps was inserted on the left side of the umbilicus, and a 19-gauge LPEC needle with suture material was inserted at the midpoint of the right or left inguinal line. The hernial sac orifice was closed extraperitoneally by circuit suturing around the internal inguinal ring using the LPEC needle.

Results: Nine hundred seventy-two LPECs were performed on 711 children (age range, 18 days to 19 years): 384 boys had 500 internal inguinal rings closed and 327 girls had 472 internal inguinal rings closed. Operating time for uni- or bilateral inguinal hernias ranged from 10 to 30 minutes. No complications occurred during surgery. The recurrence rate was 0.73% during follow-up (range, 5 months to 10 years). No hydroceles or testicular atrophy occurred after surgery.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure for inguinal hernia in children appears to be safe, effective, and reliable.