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Published on: November 30, 2010
One surgeon experiences in childhood inguinal hernias
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
This study reviewed 402 childhood inguinal hernia repairs, finding a low recurrence rate of 0.25% under a single surgeon. Close observation is recommended for contralateral hernias within six months post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Inguinal hernias are common in children.
- Surgical repair is the standard treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on a single pediatric surgeon's experience with childhood inguinal hernia repair.
- To evaluate the demographics and clinical aspects of pediatric inguinal hernia patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 402 pediatric patients.
- Data collected from 2005 to 2008.
Main Results:
- Male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1.
- Hernia locations: 64.9% right, 27.1% left, 7.9% bilateral.
- Incarceration rate: 8.7%.
- Opposite-side hernia development: 5.7%.
- Recurrence rate: 0.25% (compared to overall 1.2%).
- Wound infection rate: 0.24%.
Conclusions:
- General surgeon intervention may be a cause of recurrence.
- Contralateral inguinal hernias often become symptomatic within six months.
- Close post-operative observation is crucial for early detection of contralateral hernias.
Purpose:
In this manuscript we report one pediatric surgeon's experience in childhood inguinal hernia repair.
Methods:
From 2005 to 2008, 402 children with inguinal hernias were operated on by one surgeon. A retrospective survey of their charts was carried out to evaluate the demographics and clinical aspects of these patients.
Results:
The ages ranged from 20 days to 16 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. 64.9% right, 27.1% left, and 7.9% bilateral hernias. Hydroceles were present in 6.2% assosiated hernias. Incarceration occurred in 8.7% of children. An opposite-side hernia developed in 5.7%. 5.3 percent of patients with a hernia repair on the right side later developed a hernia on the left side, and 8.2% of patients with a hernia repair on the left side later developed one on the right side. 4.5 percent of all male patients in this series and 8.6% of female patients developed an opposite-side hernia. While overall recurrence rate was 1.2%, our recurrence rate was 0.25%. There was a 0.24% wound infection rate, and 1 (0.24%) testicle was atrophic at follow-up.
Conclusion:
In this study, in the recurrence of childhood hernia, the general surgeon's intervention was the prominent cause. It is suggested by the study that inguinal hernias on the contralateral side becomes symptomatic within the first six months following initial operation.Therefor, close observation is needed in that time.
