Our Summary

This research study looked at whether ultrasound could be used to help with a common type of surgery in children: fixing an inguinal hernia. This type of hernia happens in the groin area. Normally, doctors use a method called “high ligation” to repair the hernia, either through an open surgery or a less invasive technique called laparoscopy. Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of the body’s insides, has been used to identify and examine hernias in children.

This study looked at all female patients who had hernia surgery with the help of ultrasound at one hospital between 2017 and 2018. The researchers looked at a variety of things, including what happened during the surgery and how the patients did afterwards. They also used laparoscopy to double-check the repair and make sure no hernia was missed on the other side.

The study found that 10 patients with 13 hernias in total took part in the study. One patient had to switch to a laparoscopic repair. There were no cases of a repair being done incorrectly, a missed hernia on the other side, or injuries to the blood vessels or other structures nearby. None of the patients’ hernias came back during the study period.

The researchers concluded that using ultrasound to help with hernia repairs in children appears to be safe and doable. They said more research is needed to compare this approach to other techniques and see if hernias come back over time. They also suggested looking at whether these repairs could be done without putting patients fully to sleep in some cases.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of using ultrasound guidance in pediatric inguinal hernia repairs?
  2. What were the results of the study on ultrasound guided inguinal hernia repairs in female pediatric patients?
  3. Why didn’t male patients undergo ultrasound inguinal hernia repair in the study?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about pediatric hernia repair is to consider ultrasound-guided repair, especially for female patients. This technique has been shown to be safe and effective in identifying and repairing hernias, with potential benefits such as avoiding damage to surrounding structures and reducing the risk of recurrence. Further research is needed to fully evaluate the benefits of this approach compared to traditional methods.

Suitable For

Pediatric patients who are typically recommended for pediatric hernia repair include those with inguinal hernias that are causing symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or bulging, as well as those with incarcerated or strangulated hernias. Additionally, patients with recurrent hernias or those with hernias that are at risk of becoming incarcerated or strangulated may also be recommended for pediatric hernia repair. In some cases, pediatric hernia repair may be recommended as a preventive measure in order to avoid potential complications in the future.

Timeline

  • Pre-operative: The patient is evaluated by a healthcare provider and diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. The decision is made to proceed with surgery. In the case of the study mentioned, female pediatric patients underwent ultrasound-guided inguinal hernia repair.
  • Intra-operative: The patient undergoes the hernia repair surgery, either through an open or laparoscopic approach. In the study, ultrasound was used to guide the high ligation of the hernia sac. Laparoscopy was also used to evaluate the repair and check for any contralateral hernias.
  • Post-operative: The patient is monitored for any complications or recurrence of the hernia. In the study, no patients had an inappropriate repair or missed contralateral hernia. There were also no vascular injuries or injuries to surrounding structures reported. No patients had a hernia recurrence during the study period.

Overall, the study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided inguinal hernia repairs in female pediatric patients. Further research is needed to compare these repairs to existing techniques, evaluate long-term outcomes, and assess the potential for performing these repairs without general anesthesia in some patients.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the benefits of using ultrasound guidance for pediatric inguinal hernia repair compared to traditional methods?
  2. Are there any potential risks or complications associated with ultrasound guided hernia repair in pediatric patients?
  3. How long does the procedure typically take and what is the recovery process like for pediatric patients?
  4. Will my child need to undergo general anesthesia for the ultrasound guided hernia repair?
  5. How often do hernia recurrences occur in pediatric patients who undergo ultrasound guided hernia repair?
  6. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions or restrictions that my child will need to follow?
  7. What is the success rate of ultrasound guided hernia repair in pediatric patients compared to other surgical techniques?
  8. How soon after the procedure can my child return to normal activities, such as school and sports?
  9. Are there any long-term effects or complications that my child should be aware of following the hernia repair surgery?
  10. What is the follow-up schedule for my child after the hernia repair surgery?

Reference

Authors: Johnson KN, Criss CN, Hirschl RB, Ladino-Torres M, Yang D, Jarboe MD. Journal: J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Jul;56(7):1240-1245. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.02.053. Epub 2021 Mar 11. PMID: 33812656