Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025
Application of a New Mesh Fixation Method in Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
Published on: December 23, 2022
Early versus delayed inguinal hernia repair in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Henrique Provinciatto1, Marcus Vinicius Barbosa Moreira2, Lucas Rezende de Freitas3
1Department of Medicine, Barão de Mauá University Center, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Insights
For preterm infants, delaying inguinal hernia repair until after hospitalization may reduce recurrence risks. Early repair did not increase incarceration but showed a higher recurrence rate in this meta-analysis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Inguinal hernias are common in preterm infants.
- Optimal timing for surgical repair remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the optimal timing for inguinal hernia repair in preterm infants.
- Evaluate risks associated with early versus delayed surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing early and delayed inguinal hernia repair in preterm infants.
- Searched Cochrane Central, Embase, and PubMed databases.
- Calculated risk ratios using random effects models.
Main Results:
- Included 1207 patients from eight studies; 56% underwent early repair.
- No significant association found between early repair and incarceration (RR 1.14, p=0.52).
- Early repair was associated with an increased risk of recurrence (RR 3.11, p=0.02).
Conclusions:
- Postponing inguinal hernia repair in preterm infants until after hospitalization is suggested.
- Delaying repair may mitigate increased risks of recurrence and respiratory complications associated with early intervention.
Abstract:
BackgroundWe aimed to perform a systematic review and updated meta-analysis evaluating the optimal timing for repairing inguinal hernia in preterm infants.MethodsCochrane Central, Embase, and PubMed were searched from inception to April 2024 for studies comparing early versus delayed repair of inguinal hernia in preterm infants, without applying filters or language limitations. We utilized the RStudio version 4.2.2 to compute risk ratios with random effects for our prespecified outcomes.ResultsIn our study, which encompassed 1207 patients from eight studies, 676 (56%) preterm patients underwent early repair for inguinal hernia. Although we found no significant association between early repair and incarceration (risk ratio, 1.14; 95% Confidence Intervals, 0.76-1.70; p = 0.52; I2 = 19%), there was an increased risk of recurrence with early repair in comparison with delayed management (risk ratio, 3.11; 95% Confidence Intervals, 1.17-8.25; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%).ConclusionOur findings suggest postponing the repair of inguinal hernia in preterm infants until after hospitalization to avoid the potential increased risk of recurrence and respiratory complications associated with early repair.
