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Cardiorespiratory complications after laparoscopic hernia repair in term and preterm babies
Christine Burgmeier1, Felix Schier
1Department of General and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Insights
Postoperative complications following laparoscopic hernia repair are infrequent in term infants but more common in preterm infants. Pre-existing conditions significantly impact complication rates in preterm babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Laparoscopic Procedures
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Laparoscopic hernia repair is a common procedure in infants.
- Understanding postoperative complication rates is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of postoperative complications in infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair within the first six months of life.
- To compare complication rates between term and preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair (March 2005 - September 2012).
- Comparison of complication rates and pre-existing diseases between term and preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Term infants: 5.5% postoperative complications, 1.5% severe respiratory complications. Preterm infants: 20.4% postoperative complications, 5.1% severe respiratory complications.
- Pre-existing diseases were a significant factor in 22 preterm infants.
- Laparoscopy was possibly linked to cardiorespiratory instability in a small number of infants.
Conclusions:
- Postoperative complication rates are low but higher in preterm infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair.
- Pre-existing conditions are a major risk factor for complications in preterm infants.
- Laparoscopy may rarely induce instability in infants with cardiac anomalies.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence of postoperative complications in infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair within the first six months of life.
Methods:
Retrospective, single-institution study comparing term and preterm babies undergoing surgery between March 2005 and September 2012. The charts were reviewed for postoperative complications and pre-existing diseases.
Results:
In the term group 188 of 199 babies (94.5%) had an uneventful postoperative course. Eleven patients (5.5%) presented postoperative complications, three of them (1.5%) developed severe respiratory complications. A relation between pre-existing diseases and postoperative complications could be identified in two patients. Laparoscopy possibly induced cardiorespiratory instability in one infant. In the preterm group 109 of 137 babies (79.6%) had an uneventful postoperative course. 28 preterm infants (20.4%) developed postoperative complications, seven of them (5.1%) presented severe respiratory complications. Pre-existing diseases were identified as an influencing factor in 22 preterm infants. In one patient laparoscopy possibly caused minor instability of a pre-existing cardiac anomaly.
Conclusions:
Postoperative complications are low in both groups, although the incidence is increased in preterm infants. Pre-existing diseases are a major influencing factor for preterm infants. In very few infants laparoscopy may have induced instability of cardiac anomalies.
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