[Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous treatment of inguinal hernia in infants]

Thanks to the generalization of minimally invasive surgery in pediatric patients some classic techniques are being replaced. Inguinal hernia repair may be an example.

We present the technique and our first results in 10 patients treated by percutaneous laparoscopic assisted herniotomy. For this purpose we used an umbilical port, for a 5 mm camera and an optional 2 mm grasper. By laparoscopic guidance we make two inguinal punctures with a 20G needle that introduces a non absorbable suture that crosses the whole inguinal defect and allows it closure by extracorporeal knot tying.

The ages ranged between 1 month and 8 years with a median age of 10 months. 50% of the patients were boys. 50% of the patients had previous diagnosis of inguinal bilateral hernia. 30% of patients presented a postoperatory diagnosis different from the previous one. The average time of intervention was 32 minutes in bilateral hernias, and 19 in the unilateral ones. Follow-up time was 6 months without complications. The aesthetic result was ideal.

Percutaneous laparoscopic assisted herniotomy is an effective, simple and feasible option for inguinal hernia in chidren without a high rate of complications.