Percutaneous internal ring suturing is a safe and effective method for the minimal invasive treatment of pediatric inguinal hernia: Experience with 250 cases
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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Application of Straight-needle, Three-tailed, Knot-free, Peritoneal Sutures in Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Hernia Repair
Published on: November 12, 2021
David Terence Thomas1, Kamil Basar Göcmen1, Serkan Tulgar2
1Pendik State Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) offers a safe and effective minimally invasive repair for pediatric inguinal hernias and communicating hydroceles. This technique demonstrated low recurrence and complication rates in a recent study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Inguinal hernias and communicating hydroceles are common in children.
- Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly preferred for pediatric conditions.
- Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) is a less invasive approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PIRS for pediatric inguinal hernia and communicating hydrocele.
- To report the experience and outcomes of PIRS in a pediatric patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic PIRS for inguinal hernia or communicating hydrocele.
- Data collected included patient demographics, hernia characteristics, operative details, and follow-up outcomes.
- Procedures were performed between June 2013 and March 2015.
Main Results:
- 213 patients underwent 250 PIRS procedures.
- Mean surgery and anesthesia times were recorded for unilateral and bilateral repairs.
- Follow-up averaged 9.6 months, with a recurrence rate of 1.4% and complication rate of 2.8%.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for pediatric inguinal hernias and communicating hydroceles.
- The technique shows promising results with low rates of recurrence and complications.
- PIRS represents a viable minimally invasive option for managing these pediatric conditions.
Background/Purpose:
Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) is a minimally invasive method for repair of pediatric inguinal hernia. In this study we report our experience with PIRS.
Methods:
All children >10kg presenting to our institute between June 2013 and March 2015 with a diagnosis of indirect inguinal hernia or communicating hydrocele underwent laparoscopic repair using PIRS technique. Patients' gender, age at surgery, side of inguinal hernia/communicating hydrocele at diagnosis, peroperative findings, surgical and anesthesia times plus follow-up findings were collected.
Results:
Two-hundred thirteen patients underwent 250 procedures. Inguinal hernia or communicating hydrocele was diagnosed on the right side in 113 (53.1%), the left side in 75 (35.2%) and bilaterally in 25 patients (11.7%). Contralateral hernia was found in 35 patients (16.4%). Mean surgery time was 14.3min for unilateral and 20.4min for bilateral PIRS, and mean anesthesia time was 33.6min for unilateral and 39.1min for bilateral PIRS. Average follow-up time was 9.6months. Recurrence was seen in 3 (1.4%) and complications in 6 patients (2.8%).
Conclusion:
PIRS is a simple, safe and effective method for the treatment of inguinal hernia and communicating hydrocele in children.

