| Abstract: | ![]()
Childhood inguinal hernia is a result of a congenital patent processus vaginalis. In order to prevent strangulation of viscera trapped in the defect, surgery is necessary. Conventional operation for childhood inguinal hernia involves the use of a skin incision over the groin to dissect out the sac, taking care not to injure the adjacent important structures, namely the vas deferens and testicular vessels. The sac is then divided and the proximal end transfixed. With the advance in minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic repair of childhood inguinal hernia has been attempted. Modification of the technique by injecting normal saline extraperitoneally before the purse‐string closure of the neck of the processus vaginalis has made the procedure safer. An advantage of the laparoscopic procedure is that it allows detection and repair of the contralateral hernia. Randomised controlled trials are still required to verify the suggested advantages of better cosmesis outcome and more efficient pain control. Long‐term follow up in a large‐scale study is also desirable, to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness and possible complications of this mode of treatment.   |
