Laparoscopic Repair of Morgagni Hernia in Children

This study aims to review laparoscopic repair techniques of Morgagni hernias at a tertiary referral center. This retrospective study includes pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia between March 2004 and March 2021. The patients' demographics, presenting symptoms, operative approach, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Fourteen patients underwent laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia. The mean age at the time of operation was 24.7 months. Defect closing techniques were intracorporeal knot tying (n: 2), extracorporeal knot tying, and subcutaneous knot placement (n: 10), combination with intracorporeal continuous suturing and several extracorporeal intermittent sutures (n: 2). Different approaches were used during removal of the needle from the insertion point in the extracorporeal knot tying: intracorporeally, using a laparoscopic needle holder (n: 6), with an 18-gauge injector tip (n: 1), and extracorporeally with suture passer forceps (n: 3). In the intracorporeal knot tying technique, the mean operation time was 127 minutes (range 90-180 minutes). In the extracorporeal knot tying technique, the mean operation time was 75 minutes (range 30-180 minutes). The mean operation time in the technique that used suture passer forceps for removing the needle from the same point of insertion was 40 minutes. There was no intraoperative complication. In the laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia, full-thickness anterior abdominal wall repair with interrupted sutures that are tied extracorporeally in the subcutaneous tissue by separated minor skin incisions is the easy approach. Using suture passer forceps during removal of the needle facilitates this technique and shortens the operation time.