# Effect of a Pediatric Surgeon's Primarily Performed Technique on Inguinal Hernia Recurrence Rates: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study — GCMD Library

<i>Kathleen Heller, Brielle V Ochoa, Stephanie F Brierley, Benjamin E Padilla; Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Collaborative Group</i><div><br></div><div><b>Purpose: </b>To investigate the effect of surgeons' preferred repair technique for pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR) -laparoscopic versus open-on hernia recurrence rates.
</div><div><br></div><div><b>Methods</b>: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients aged <18 years old who underwent IHR at 21 children's hospitals from 2017 to 2019 with 3 year follow up. Surgeons preferring open hernia repair performed ≥70 % of hernia repairs open (Open surgeons). Surgeons preferring laparoscopic hernia repair performed ≥70 % of hernia repairs laparoscopically (Laparoscopic surgeons). Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression were utilized.
</div><div><br></div><div><b>Results</b>: Among 207 surgeons, 125 (60.4 %) were Open surgeons, and of those 54 (43.2 %) performed at least 1 laparoscopic IHR. The inguinal hernia recurrence rates for Open surgeons were 0.9 % for open IHR and 3.6 % for laparoscopic IHR, p < 0.001. There were 58 (28.0 %) Laparoscopic surgeons and of those 44 (75.9 %) performed at least 1 open IHR. The inguinal hernia recurrence rates for Laparoscopic surgeons were 1.7 % for laparoscopic IHR and 1.7 % for open IHR, p = 1.000. For open IHR, no significant difference in recurrence rates was observed between Open and Laparoscopic surgeons (0.9 % versus 1.7 %, p = 0.230). For laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs, Open surgeons had higher recurrence rates than Laparoscopic surgeons with odds ratio of (3.6 % versus 1.7 %, p = 0.019).
</div><div><br></div><div><b>Conclusions: </b>Open surgeons have higher inguinal hernia recurrence rates when performing laparoscopic IHR. No difference in hernia recurrence rates following open and laparoscopic repair was noted for Laparoscopic surgeons. Pediatric surgeons dividing cases between open and laparoscopic IHR should take caution to maintain adequate proficiency in both.</div><div>
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Type: video · 0 min · posted 2026-01-15
Canonical: https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386

## Chapters
- [0:00](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=0) Surgeon Technique Preference and Hernia Recurrence

## Statements
- "The study examined pediatric inguinal hernia repairs across 21 children's hospitals" — Lizzie Lee (epidemiological) [0:09](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=9)
- "When surgeons who mostly do open repairs performed a laparoscopic repair, the hernia recurrence rate was 3.6%" — Lizzie Lee (clinical) [0:15](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=15)
- "When laparoscopy was done by surgeons who primarily use that approach, the recurrence rate was 1.7%" — Lizzie Lee (clinical) [0:15](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=15)
- "Surgeons who primarily do laparoscopic repairs had similar low recurrence rates whether they operated laparoscopically or open" — Lizzie Lee (clinical) [0:27](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=27)
- "Surgeons tend to get the best results with the technique they use most often" — Lizzie Lee (opinion) [0:35](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=35)
- "If surgeons split their practice between open and laparoscopic hernia repairs, it's important to maintain strong skills in both so that outcomes can stay consistent" — Lizzie Lee (opinion) [0:39](https://library.globalcastmd.com/watch/effect-of-a-pediatric-surgeon-s-primarily-performed-technique-on-inguinal-hernia-recurrence-rates-a-multicenter-retrospective-cohort-study-11386?t=39)

## Transcript
Does a surgeon's preferred technique actually affect hernia outcome? This study suggests that yes, it can. I'm Lizzie Lee from Cincinnati Children's, and this is an article you should know about. Researchers looked at pediatric inguinal hernia repairs across 21 children's hospitals. Here's the key finding. When surgeons who mostly do open repairs performed a laparoscopic repair, the hernia came back more often, 3.6% compared to 1.7% when laparoscopy was done by surgeons who use that approach. On the flip side, surgeons who primarily do laparoscopic repairs had similar low recurrence rates, whether they operated laparoscopically or open. This means that surgeons tend to get the best results with the technique they use most often. If surgeons split their practice between open and laparoscopic hernia repairs, it's important to maintain strong skills in both, so that outcomes can stay consistent for kids. Let us know what you think in the comments below and stay tuned for more articles that you should know about.

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