Comparison of Recurrence and Complication Rates Following Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair among Preterm versus Full-Term Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LHR) in children has been widely performed in the last decades, although it is still not sufficiently researched in preterm infants. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the recurrence and complication rates following laparoscopic hernia repair among preterm (PT) versus full-term (FT) newborns. Methods: Scientific databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases) were systematically searched for relevant articles. The following terms were used: (laparoscopic hernia repair) AND (preterm). The inclusion criteria were all preterm newborns with a unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia who underwent LHR. The main outcomes were the incidence of recurrence of hernia and the proportion of children developing postoperative complications in comparison with FT newborns following LHR. Results: The present meta-analysis included four comparative studies. Three studies had a retrospective study design while one was a prospective study. A total of 1702 children were included (PT n = 523, FT n = 1179). The incidence of hernia recurrence showed no significant difference between the PT versus FT groups (RR = 2.58, 95% CI 0.89–7.47, p = 0.08). A significantly higher incidence of complications was observed in the PT group compared to the FT group (RR = 4.05, 95% CI 2.11–7.77, p < 0.0001). The PT group of newborns accounted for 81% and 72% of the major and minor complications. The major complications were either non-surgical (i.e., severe respiratory distress requiring reintubation with prolonged ventilation (or high-frequency ventilation), seizures, bradycardia), or surgical (i.e., hydroceles requiring operative intervention and umbilical port-site hernia). Conclusions: LHR in PT infants is associated with similar recurrence rates as in FT infants. However, the incidence of complications is significantly higher in PT versus FT infants.