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

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.