Laparoskopische Chirurgie im Kindesalter

Today approximately 60% of abdominal operations in children can be performed laparoscopically and therefore, minimal invasive techniques have evolved as gold standard for numerous conditions in children.The advantages have not been proven by randomized trails.However,prospective studies showed a lower intensity of pain, a lower incidence of other postoperative symptoms, and a faster recovery.The spectrum of laparoscopic surgery in children is broad and more than 50 types of procedures have been described.The feasibility and safety have been excellent and no complications with a long-term disadvantage for the patient have been described in numerous large studies. Therefore, the laparoscopic approach has been postulated to be gold standard for procedures in children, such as splenectomy, recto-sigmoid resection for Hirschsprung's disease, fundoplication, and therapy of abdominal testis. In future, the use of robotics may help to develop further laparoscopic techniques in children.