Laparoscopic versus open pediatric inguinal hernia repair: state-of-the-art comparison and future perspectives from a meta-analysis.

Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs comparing laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in 733 pediatric patients found no significant differences in complications, recurrences, or unilateral operation time. Laparoscopic approach showed shorter bilateral operation time but substantial heterogeneity limits definitive conclusions on superiority.