Cardiorespiratory complications after laparoscopic hernia repair in term and preterm babies.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence of postoperative complications in infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair within the first six months of life.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-institution study comparing term and preterm babies undergoing surgery between March 2005 and September 2012. The charts were reviewed for postoperative complications and pre-existing diseases.

RESULTS

In the term group 188 of 199 babies (94.5%) had an uneventful postoperative course. Eleven patients (5.5%) presented postoperative complications, three of them (1.5%) developed severe respiratory complications. A relation between pre-existing diseases and postoperative complications could be identified in two patients. Laparoscopy possibly induced cardiorespiratory instability in one infant. In the preterm group 109 of 137 babies (79.6%) had an uneventful postoperative course. 28 preterm infants (20.4%) developed postoperative complications, seven of them (5.1%) presented severe respiratory complications. Pre-existing diseases were identified as an influencing factor in 22 preterm infants. In one patient laparoscopy possibly caused minor instability of a pre-existing cardiac anomaly.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications are low in both groups, although the incidence is increased in preterm infants. Pre-existing diseases are a major influencing factor for preterm infants. In very few infants laparoscopy may have induced instability of cardiac anomalies.