Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: September 13, 2022
Sequential laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure for inguinal hernia during NICU/GCU hospitalization in
Goki Uchida1, Kenei Furukawa2, Kazuki Hirohara2
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8, Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan. ryu_g53@yahoo.co.jp.
Background:
Inguinal hernia is common in low birth weight infants and carries a risk of incarceration. Although laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) is widely used in pediatric patients, the safety of sequential LPEC during NICU/GCU hospitalization remains unclear. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of sequential LPEC during NICU/GCU hospitalization.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed infants who underwent LPEC between September 2018 and July 2024. Infants aged ≤ 6 months diagnosed with inguinal hernia and treated with sequential LPEC during hospitalization were included. For comparison, infants aged ≤ 6 months with a history of NICU/GCU hospitalization who were diagnosed with inguinal hernia after NICU/GCU discharge and underwent LPEC were identified.
Results:
Among 302 patients, 13 met the inclusion criteria. One patient required postoperative reintubation, postoperative testicular atrophy occurred in three patients, and no hernia recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 48 months. Compared with infants diagnosed after NICU/GCU discharge, the sequential LPEC group had significantly lower gestational age, lower birth weight, lower body weight at surgery, and more comorbidities, whereas postoperative outcomes were comparable.
Conclusion:
Sequential LPEC during continuous NICU/GCU hospitalization is feasible and can be safely performed in low birth weight infants with appropriate technical refinements.