Laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia and hydrocele of tunica vaginalis in children:a report of 180 cases

Objective:To explore a new method of laparoscopy in treatment of indirect inguinal hernia and the hydrocele of tunica vaginalis in children.Methods:One hundred and eighty cases with indirect inguinal hernia and the hydrocele of tunica vaginalis were treated by laparoscopic surgery.Among them,150 cases had indirect inguinal hernia(right:80 cases,left:40 cases,bilateral:30 cases),20 cases had contralateral latent hernia in the unilateral hernias,and 30 cases(right:20 cases,left:10 cases)with the hydrocele of tunica vaginalis.All patients underwent internal orifice high ligation with laparoscopy,and the hydrocele of tunica vaginalis was drawn out.Results:The average operative time was 5-10min in unilateral hernia and 10-20min in bilateral hernia.The mean postoperative hospitalization was 36h.Skin sutures were not required.All patients were followed-up for 6-24months(mean 12 months),and no complications and recurrence occurred.Conclusions:Laparoscopic high ligation surgery and removal of the hydrocele of tunica vaginalis is a simple,satisfactory,effective,and minimally invasive surgical method.It causes no infection in the wound cut,scrotum and testis,no nerve damage,no pain and numb in lower abdomen.