EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY OF A NEW METHOD FOR LAPAROSCOPIC INDIRECT INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

With the progress in laparoscopic techniques in recent years, there is an increased interest in laparoscopic hernia repair. The laparoscopic indirect inguinal hernia repair with simple closure of the internal r ing seems feasible in childhood inguinal hernia repair; however, this technique carries the risk of postoperative patent processus vaginalis . In this study we investigated the possibility of avoidance of this c omplication by chemical obliteration of processus vaginalis with 6% io dine solution in rats. The study population was comprised of three gro ups: simple suture of the internal ring, iodine application plus simpl e suture of the internal ring, and iodine application alone. While pro cessus vaginalis was anatomically closed in 75% of the rats in the iod ine plus simple suture of the internal ring group, it was closed in 10 % of the iodine application alone group and was not closed in the simp le suture of the internal ring alone group. No histopathologic injurie s to the testis or cord were detected attributable to iodine. Our stud y showed that simple suture of the internal ring is not sufficient for hernia repair. Laparoscopic chemical agent application in addition to simple suture of the internal ring may be beneficial for successful l aparoscopic indirect inguinal hernia repair in children.