Needlescopic primary paediatric inguinal hernia repair by hernia sac disconnection and peritoneal closure

Objective: To evaluate the short-term outcome of the needlescopic hernia sac disconnection and peritoneal closure in the treatment of primary paediatric inguinal hernia. Method: The prospective study was conducted from April 2019 to April 2021 at the Paediatric Surgery Unit of the General Surgery Department at Kafrelsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, and comprised patients aged 6-144 months having uncomplicated paediatric inguinal hernia. The patients were subjected to needlescopic hernia sac disconnection and peritoneal closure. The follow-up protocol included outpatient visits at 1 week and at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively to check for recurrence and other complications. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Results: Of the 50 patients with 65 hernias, 37(74%) were males and 13(26%) were females. The overall mean age was 50.78 +/- 31.74 months (range: 9-120 months) and mean internal ring diameter was 11.90 +/- 3.518mm (range: 8-20mm). The mean operative time was 20.66 +/- 2.94 minutes for unilateral cases and 30.60 +/- 5.15 minutes for bilateral cases. There was no conversion to conventional laparoscopy or to open herniotomy. All cases were followed up for a mean of 11.56 +/- 3.99 months. No recurrence was encountered in any case and the scars were invisible in 40(80%) cases 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Needlescopic hernia sac disconnection and peritoneal closure was found to be feasible, safe and effective in the treatment of primary paediatric inguinal hernia.