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Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) is gaining popularity with more studies validating its feasibility, safety, and efficacy. The aim of this work is to review our experience with LIHR in infants and children during the past 15 years, and present and evaluate our innovations of laparoscopic techniques.Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of 1284 patients with congenital inguinal hernia (CIH) subjected to different techniques of LIHR from October 2000 to October 2015. The main outcome measurements included the following: operative time, hospital stay, hernia recurrence, hydrocele formation, testicular atrophy, iatrogenic ascent of the testis, and cosmetic results.Inclusion Criteria: All patients with CIH who were managed by LIHR during the period of study. They were bilateral cases, recurrent hernias, unilateral hernia in obese child, unilateral hernia with associated infantile umbilical hernia, and unilateral hernia with questionable contralateral side.Results: A total of 1284 patients with CIH were corrected with different laparoscopic procedures. They were 918 males and 366 females. The age range was variable from 6 to 78 months (mean 28.32 ± 24.46 months). All cases were completed laparoscopically without major intraoperative complications. Contralateral hernial defects were found in 294 patients (22.90%), a direct inguinal hernia (IH) was discovered in 15 patients (1.17%), and a femoral hernia was discovered in 3 patients (0.23%). Recurrence occurred in 9 boys (0.98%) who were among the early cases; however, in later group, no recurrence had been detected. Hydrocele occurred in 19 cases (males) (2.07%), without detection of testicular atrophy or iatrogenic ascent of the testis.Conclusion: Our results lead us to believe that LIHR by expert hands is safe and effective. It enables the surgeon to discover and repair contralateral hernia and all forms of IHs. One should be able to tailor a suitable technique for each case according to the resources and expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Needlescopic techniques have been used recently in different pediatric procedures, which made this type of surgery more feasible and less invasive with decreased hospital stay and improved cosmetic results. The technique is being developed further. New techniques with minor modifications are evolving every day. The objective of this study was to describe and assess the results that can be achieved by using a new simplified technique [Reverdin needle (RN)] in thoracoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia in neonates and children. Eighteen patients with symptomatic congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), from Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt were assigned to elective thoracoscopic repair using RN to insert mattress sutures between the edges of diaphragmatic defects. The technique will be described in detail. A total of 18 diaphragmatic defects were repaired successfully; there were 12 males and 6 females with a mean age of 1.58 +/- 21 months (range, 5 days-9 months). Left-sided CDH was present in 12 cases (67%) and right-sided CDH in 6 cases (33%). The mean operative time was 30.7 +/- 1.18 min (range, 25-60 min) for each CDH repair. There were no intra or postoperative complications. There was one case of conversion and minimal blood loss. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.6 days (range, 2-10 days). There was only one case of mortality on the 10th postoperative day. There was no single case of recurrence. The new technique had all the advantages of thoracoscopy in children (less invasive, less pain, shorter hospital stay) combined with the advantages of reduced operating time, simplicity and feasibility. It may be preferable to intracorporeal suturing and knot tying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]