Purpose: Many studies compared the outcomes of hernia repair in children between open and laparoscopic techniques.However, the results still need to be clarified. Moreover, the reports from developing countries are also limited. Methods: We compared the outcomes of hernia repair between the open and laparoscopic techniques in children and associated them with risk factors. Results: We involved 92 children, consisting of laparoscopy (36 males and 10 females) and open (42 males and 4 females) methods. There was a significant difference between 2 groups regarding the gestational age and age at surgery (both P < 0.001). Laparoscopy had a shorter length of stay (LOS) than the open group (1.09 ± 0.28 days vs. 1.37 ± 0.57 days, P = 0.004), while the duration of surgery was similar in both groups (P = 0.801). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant association between the recurrence of hernia and risk factors, including the surgical procedure, sex, age at surgery, and prematurity (P > 0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery might have a beneficial effect on shorter LOS compared with open hernia repair. None of the risk factors is significantly associated with hernia recurrence after repair. A further prospective multicenter study with a larger sample size is necessary to clarify our findings.

The ideal intervention in the treatment of perianal fistula prevents the onset of infection to speed healing and prevent fistula recurrence while maintaining the function of the anal sphincter. Currently, there is no consensus on the best recommended surgical technique for perianal fistula management. Several studies have shown that fistulotomy was an easy and safe procedure for treatment of perianal fistula. Lateral internal sphincterotomy is the usual procedure performed on an anal fissure to decrease the anal sphincter tone. This study reports a combination of fistulotomy and contralateral internal sphincterotomy procedures for recurrent and complex perianal fistula to prevent recurrence. Here, we report 5 cases of recurrent and complex perianal fistula. The combination of fistulotomy and contralateral internal sphincterotomy is a relatively easy and safe procedure for complex perianal fistulae. In our cases, we found neither recurrence nor postoperative anal incontinence.