PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sunil Kumar Nayak AU - Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi AU - Raghavendra Gupta G H V AU - Subbaiah Rajapandian AU - Nalankilli Vaiyapurigoundar Palanisamy AU - Chinnusamy Palanivelu TI - Laparoscopic iliopubic tract repair for pediatric inguinal hernia has very low recurrence: an Indian experience AID - 10.1136/wjps-2020-000150 DP - 2020 Sep 01 TA - World Journal of Pediatric Surgery PG - e000150 VI - 3 IP - 3 4099 - http://wjps.bmj.com/content/3/3/e000150.short 4100 - http://wjps.bmj.com/content/3/3/e000150.full SO - World Jnl Ped Surgery2020 Sep 01; 3 AB - Background The aim of this study is to document results of laparoscopic iliopubic tract (IPT) repair for inguinal hernia in the pediatric age group.Methods Hospital records of 190 children who underwent IPT repair between January 2015 and January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively for demographic details, variations between clinical, radiological and laparoscopic diagnosis, associated pathologies, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications and follow-up. The internal ring was narrowed by approximating IPT to conjoint tendon using 3-0 polypropylene continuous or interrupted suture.Results In total, 238 IPT repairs were done under general anesthesia in 190 children aged between 1 and 17 years. 7.9% of children had phimosis, and three children had hydrocele. Three patients had undescended testis and another three IPT repairs were done in cases who presented with appendicitis. Contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) was detected at the time of laparoscopy in 18.3% of cases. Thus far, 166 children had been followed, and no recurrence was observed in any of these 96 of whom have completed more than 3 years after their surgery. However, two patients developed hernia on the contralateral side.Conclusions Laparoscopy is beneficial to pick up CPPV. Laparoscopic IPT repair for pediatric inguinal hernia is reproducible and safe with the least recurrence reported thus far. However, further follow-up is needed. Moreover, development of contralateral hernia needs to be investigated.