Download PDF
Eur J Pediatr Surg 2022; 32(03): 219-232
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721420
Review Article

Surgical Management of Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Guideline from the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Evidence and Guideline Committee

Francesco Morini
1   Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
,
Kelly M.A. Dreuning
2   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Maarten J.H. Janssen Lok
3   Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Tomas Wester
4   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Joep P.M. Derikx
2   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Florian Friedmacher
5   Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
6   Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
,
Hiromu Miyake
7   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
,
Haitao Zhu
3   Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
8   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
,
Luca Pio
9   Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré, University of Paris, Paris, France
,
Martin Lacher
10   Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
,
Stefania Sgró
11   Department of Anesthesiology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
,
Augusto Zani
3   Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
12   Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Simon Eaton
13   Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
,
L.W. Ernest van Heurn
2   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Agostino Pierro 
3   Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
   Buy Article Permissions and Reprints
Zoom Image

Abstract

Introduction Inguinal hernia repair represents the most common operation in childhood; however, consensus about the optimal management is lacking. Hence, recommendations for clinical practice are needed. This study assesses the available evidence and compiles recommendations on pediatric inguinal hernia.

Materials and Methods The European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Evidence and Guideline Committee addressed six questions on pediatric inguinal hernia repair with the following topics: (1) open versus laparoscopic repair, (2) extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal repair, (3) contralateral exploration, (4) surgical timing, (5) anesthesia technique in preterm infants, and (6) operation urgency in girls with irreducible ovarian hernia. Systematic literature searches were performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase (Ovid), and The Cochrane Library. Reviews and meta-analyses were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Results Seventy-two out of 5,173 articles were included, 27 in the meta-analyses. Laparoscopic repair shortens bilateral operation time compared with open repair. In preterm infants, hernia repair after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/hospital discharge is associated with less respiratory difficulties and recurrences, regional anesthesia is associated with a decrease of postoperative apnea and pain. The review regarding operation urgency for irreducible ovarian hernia gained insufficient evidence of low quality.

Conclusion Laparoscopic repair may be beneficial for children with bilateral hernia and preterm infants may benefit using regional anesthesia and postponing surgery. However, no definite superiority was found and available evidence was of moderate-to-low quality. Evidence for other topics was less conclusive. For the optimal management of inguinal hernia repair, a tailored approach is recommended taking into account the local facilities, resources, and expertise of the medical team involved.

Keywords

hernia - inguinal - laparoscopy - anesthesia - general - child - ovary

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 29 September 2020

Accepted: 12 October 2020

Article published online:
10 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany