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Introduction of pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in Guatemala
Juan P Cóbar1, Peter F Nichol2
1Department of Medical Research, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, 6ta calle final zona 10, Guatemala City, 01010, Guatemala. jpcobar@ufm.edu.
Insights
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children was successfully introduced in Guatemala. This minimally invasive technique demonstrated safety and feasibility, with outcomes comparable to those in developed countries, even with limited resources.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Global Health
Background:
- Inguinal hernias are common in children, with open repair being the standard in developing nations.
- Laparoscopic repair offers comparable outcomes to open repair and is gaining traction globally.
- Implementing new surgical techniques in resource-limited settings presents unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of introducing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in a developing country (Guatemala).
- To assess the safety and complication profile of this technique in a resource-limited environment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from pediatric patients (<18 years) undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
- Study conducted at Corpus Christi Hospital in Patzun, Guatemala, between September 5th and 8th, 2022.
- All cases performed by a pediatric surgeon and a local Guatemalan physician.
Main Results:
- 14 pediatric patients (7 boys, 7 girls; mean age 7.6 years) were included.
- No postoperative infections, pain requiring re-evaluation, gonadal atrophy, or hernia recurrence were observed.
- Follow-up at 7 days, 30 days, and 6 months showed no major complications.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is feasible and safe in a developing country setting with appropriate equipment and oversight.
- The complication risk profile is comparable to that seen in developed countries.
- This study supports the adoption of laparoscopic techniques in resource-limited areas for pediatric inguinal hernia repair.
Purpose:
Introducing new surgical techniques in a developing country can be challenging. Inguinal hernias in children are a common surgical problem, and open repair is the standard surgical approach. Laparoscopic repair has gained popularity in developed countries because of similar results. This study aimed to determine the outcomes following the introduction of laparoscopic repairs in Guatemala.
Methods:
This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all patients under 18 years who underwent laparoscopic repair at Corpus Christi Hospital in Patzun, Guatemala, from September 5th to September 8th, 2022.
Results:
A total of 14 patients were included in the study. A board-certified pediatric surgeon and a Guatemalan physician performed all cases. The mean patient age was 7.6 years; 7 boys and 7 girls. All patients were interviewed at 7 days, 30 days, and 6 months. There were no postoperative infections, pain requiring re-evaluation, gonadal atrophy, or hernia recurrence.
Conclusion:
Under controlled circumstances with limited but proper equipment and disposables, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs can be introduced and performed in a developing country with a risk complication profile comparable to that in developed countries. This study provides promising evidence of laparoscopic repair feasibility and safety where surgical resources are limited.
