DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction: Inguinal hernia, commonly seen in paediatric population, results from a persistent patent processes vaginalis. Surgical repair is typically performed using either the conventional inguinal approach or the high scrotal approach. The selected technique can affect operative duration, complication rates, and recovery outcomes. This study aims to compare the two methods to evaluate their relative effectiveness and overall impact on paediatric patient care and postoperative recovery.
Objective: To compare the conventional inguinal and high scrotal approaches for paediatric herniotomy in terms of operative time, postoperative pain, anaesthesia duration, scrotal induration, vascular injury, and overall impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, over two years. The study included 80 paediatric patients under five years of age, divided into two groups: 40 underwent the high scrotal approach and 40 underwent the conventional inguinal approach. Patients with large, obstructed, or bilateral hernias, as well as those with undescended testes, were excluded. Data were collected on operative time, intraoperative complications, and postoperative recovery, with statistical significance determined using chi-square and t-tests.
Results: The high scrotal approach resulted in significantly shorter operative time and fewer postoperative complications, such as vascular injury, wound infection, and testicular atrophy. Compared to the conventional method, it also showed lower pain scores, while scrotal induration was more frequently observed with the conventional approach.
Conclusion: The high scrotal approach provides a safer, more efficient alternative to the conventional inguinal method, with fewer complications and a faster recovery period. It should be considered a preferred technique for  herniotomy in paediatric population.