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Day-case inguinal herniotomy in Chinese children: retrospective study
1Day Surgery Centre, Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Insights
Day-case inguinal herniotomy is safe and effective for Chinese children, with low complication rates. This ambulatory surgery approach is suitable for pediatric patients with inguinal hernias when performed by experienced surgeons.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Ambulatory Surgery
- Hernia Repair
Background:
- Inguinal hernias are common in pediatric populations.
- Day-case surgery offers potential benefits for pediatric patients and healthcare systems.
- Evaluating the safety and efficacy of ambulatory procedures is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review outcomes of day-case inguinal herniotomy in Chinese children.
- To assess short-term and long-term morbidity associated with the procedure.
- To determine the acceptability and safety of ambulatory hernia repair in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 255 pediatric patients undergoing day-case inguinal herniotomy.
- Data collected from July 1993 to December 1997 at a Hong Kong Day Surgery Centre.
- Telephone survey conducted to evaluate long-term outcomes and complications.
Main Results:
- The study included 230 boys and 25 girls (mean age 8.8 years).
- Recurrence rate was 3.5% (8/230), and contralateral hernia occurred in 1.3% (3/230).
- Unplanned admission rate was 1.6% (primarily for pain); wound complications were infrequent.
Conclusions:
- Day-case inguinal herniotomy is a safe and acceptable procedure for Chinese pediatric patients.
- Ambulatory surgery is a viable management option for pediatric inguinal hernias by experienced surgeons.
- The findings support the use of day-case surgery for pediatric hernia repair.
Objective:
To review the results of day-case procedures performed for inguinal hernia or hernia-hydrocele complex in Chinese children.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Setting:
Day Surgery Centre of a district hospital, Hong Kong.
Patients:
Medical records of 255 consecutive paediatric patients admitted to the Day Surgery Centre for inguinal herniotomy between July 1993 and December 1997 were reviewed. A telephone survey was conducted to assess any long-term morbidity relating to the operation.
Main Outcome Measures:
Patient demographics, success of day-case herniotomy, short-term and long-term morbidity.
Results:
There were 230 boys and 25 girls with a mean age of 8.8 years (range, 3 months to 18 years). Seven patients had bilateral herniotomy for bilateral hernia and 14 had circumcision for co-existing phimosis. Eight boys developed recurrence and three had a contralateral inguinal hernia. Postoperative ascent of the testis occurred in three patients, one of whom required orchidopexy. The unplanned admission rate was 1.6%, all for poor pain control. There were four herniotomy wound complications (two haematomas and two infections) and two circumcision wound haemorrhages.
Conclusions:
Day-case inguinal herniotomy is safe and acceptable to Chinese children. Given these satisfactory results, paediatric patients with inguinal hernia can be safely managed with ambulatory surgery performed by suitably experienced surgeons.