Laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in boys

Aims: To analyze the results of treatment of inguinal hernias through videolaparoscopy in boys over six months of age. Methods: All male patients over six months of age that arrived to the Surgical Outpatient Clinic of Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas, or to the author's private clinic, between July 1999 and November 2001, with diagnosis of inguinal hernia, were included in this prospective non randomized study. The same videaolaparoscopic surgical technique was used in all patients. Results: A total of 51 patients were studied, and 68 inguinal herniorraphies were made through videolaparoscopy. The patients' mean age was 40 months, ranging from 6 months to 10 years and 8 months. From 49 patients who had clinical evidence of unilateral hernia, laparoscopic examination showed that 32 (65.3%) had only unilateral hernia, with a normal contralateral side. The finding of a thickened spermatic cord as indicator of hernia or patent processus vaginalis on the contralateral side had a sensitivity of 52.9% and a specificity of 53.1%. One case of moderate hemorrhage of spermatic vessels was the only intraoperative complication (2%). No conversion to open surgery was necessary. Two patients had recurrence of the hernia (4%). Conclusions: The videaolaparoscopic surgical technique has been effective, safe, and presented low incidence of complications in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia in boys. We believe that videolaparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernias in boys is an alternative valid method to traditional surgery.