Features of recurrence and contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH) in the patients underwent laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) for pediatric inguinal hernia.

Purpose: Recurrence and contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH) are important postoperative complications in patients with inguinal hernia (IH) who undergo laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and causes of recurrence and CMIH after LPEC.

Methods: Among the included patients, 2484 hernias were included in the analysis of recurrence. CMIH was analyzed in 2094 cases with unilateral IH without a history of contralateral IH.

Results: Overall, 21 hernias (0.85%) recurred and seven patients (0.34%) experienced CMIH. Based on the video inspection, injury and skipping of the peritoneum were suspected as the cause of recurrence in eight cases, while loose ligation was suspected in five cases. The cause of recurrence could not be predicted in the remaining eight patients. Of the seven patients with CMIH, three had a mild depression around the internal inguinal ring at the first surgery. In the remaining four CMIH cases, no noteworthy findings were noted around the internal ring.

Conclusions: More than half of the recurrences, in which skipping of the peritoneum and loose ligation were suspected, could have been prevented by secure ligation during the first surgery. Extending the indications of prophylactic surgery for shallow depressions may reduce CMIH.