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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.