Level 1: Likely reliable evidence
A randomized trial compared laparoscopic and open surgery in 90 children aged 4 months to 16 years with unilateral inguinal hernia (Pediatrics. 2009;123:332-337). Laparoscopic repair was associated with longer times in the operating room (63 vs. 38 minutes, P <.001) and day surgery ward (300 vs. 230 minutes, P <.001) and with greater need for postoperative rescue analgesia (79% vs. 42%, P <.05, NNH 27). Median pain scores on the second postoperative morning were also significantly higher for the laparoscopic group. At two-year follow-up, there were no differences in recurrent hernia or cosmetic outcome.
Publish Date
