Post operation recurrence of inguinal hernia in children and its relation with suture material

Background: Using non-absorbable suture in children hernia repair to decrease of recurrence is recommended in the most pediatric surgery centers. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between kind of suture material and rate of hernia recurrence.

Methods: In this clinical trial 200 children (age 1-5 years) with inguinal hernia who operated in Imam-Reza Hospital (kermanshah –Iran Between April 2007 until April 2008) enrolled into the study. Cases were selected by convenience sampling method and then randomly divided into two groups (100 cases per group) and operated with absorbable (silk 3-0) and non-absorbable (vicryli 3-0) suture material. Following period was 12 months after operation and collected data analyzed by statistical software. Emergency operations were excluded from the study.

Results: 83% of patients were boy and 17% were girl. %53 showed right side inguinal, 29% left side and %18 were bilateral hernia. After one year follow up only one case of recurrence was observed in each group.

Conclusion: Our study confirmed that recurrence of inguinal hernia in children after surgery, is not related to kind of suture material (absorbability) and we didn’t find any significant difference. Other factors than suture material may influence recurrence rate of hernia operation in children.