Outcome of Laparoscopic Inguinal Herniorraphy in Children
Condition: Hernia, Inguinal
MeSH terms: Hernia; Hernia, Inguinal
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The investigators plan a retrospective, single-center outcome analysis of laparoscopic hernia
      repair in children operated between March 2nd, 2010, and March 1st, 2014. Data analysis will
      be based on a review of hospital records and a questionnaire answered by families. Patient
      demographics (age, gender), affected side, type and duration of laparoscopic intervention,
      and outcome parameters (hernia recurrence, post-operative complications, eg. infections,
      length and type of postoperative pain medication, and length of the postoperative hospital
      stay) will be analysed.
    

Detailed description: 
      Hernias of the abdominal wall occur if intra-abdominal tissue or peritoneum bulges through
      the abdominal wall. The most frequent locations of abdominal wall hernia are the inguinal
      region close to the groin, the umbilicus, and scars. Congenital inguinal hernias occur more
      frequently in the inguinal region if the vaginal process is not closed adequately at birth.
      Surgical procedures for correction of inguinal hernias are frequently carried out in
      children. Laparoscopic procedures to correct inguinal hernias in children are gaining more
      acceptance. The laparoscopic closure of hernias in children is considered effective and safe
      and represents an accepted alternative to the open surgical hernia repair. When compared to
      open surgical hernia repair in children, laparoscopic hernia repair causes smaller scars,
      allows for a faster postoperative recovery of children, requires less pain medication, and
      allows for an inspection of the contralateral side, thus facilitating simultaneous hernia
      repair in the same operation.

      We aim to investigate the short-term results of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in
      children. The main outcome parameter of this single-center study is hernia recurrence or the
      occurrence of contralateral metachronous hernia. Secondary outcome measures are postoperative
      complications such as infections of the wound regions, the time between operation and
      discharge from hospital, and postoperative pain medication requirements. We chose a 4-year
      time interval for inclusion of patients. Data are retrieved from hospital records in a
      retrospective evaluation. In addition, a structured questionnaire sent to the families of
      children will document postoperative complaints and complications from 3 months after the
      operation onwards. Families not responding to the questionnaire will be offered a structured
      telephone interview.
    

Intervention name(s): Laparoscopic surgical hernia repair
Intervention type(s): Procedure
Intervention description(s): Laparoscopic surgical hernia repair in children
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Children aged between 1 day and 16 years who underwent laparoscopic surgical inguinal
        hernia repair between March 2010 and March 2014 at a single institution.
      
Keywords: Lapraroscopic surgical procedure; infant; complications; inguinal hernia; hernia recurrence