Pediatr Surg Int. 2026 Sep 1;42(1):378. doi: 10.1007/s00383-026-06595-0.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia is common in low birth weight infants and carries a risk of incarceration. Although laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) is widely used in pediatric patients, the safety of sequential LPEC during NICU/GCU hospitalization remains unclear. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of sequential LPEC during NICU/GCU hospitalization.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed infants who underwent LPEC between September 2018 and July 2024. Infants aged ≤ 6 months diagnosed with inguinal hernia and treated with sequential LPEC during hospitalization were included. For comparison, infants aged ≤ 6 months with a history of NICU/GCU hospitalization who were diagnosed with inguinal hernia after NICU/GCU discharge and underwent LPEC were identified.
RESULTS: Among 302 patients, 13 met the inclusion criteria. One patient required postoperative reintubation, postoperative testicular atrophy occurred in three patients, and no hernia recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 48 months. Compared with infants diagnosed after NICU/GCU discharge, the sequential LPEC group had significantly lower gestational age, lower birth weight, lower body weight at surgery, and more comorbidities, whereas postoperative outcomes were comparable.
CONCLUSION: Sequential LPEC during continuous NICU/GCU hospitalization is feasible and can be safely performed in low birth weight infants with appropriate technical refinements.
PMID:42678413 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-026-06595-0
