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Laparoscopy is now being used for common pediatric surgeries, such as appendectomy, gastric fundoplication, and inguinal hernia repair. In a randomized study, investigators compared laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair in 89 children (age range, 8 months–15 years) who were referred to a single hospital in Finland for elective day surgery for uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia. Patients and parents were blinded to the surgical technique until the first outpatient visit. Long-term follow-up evaluations were completed at 6 months and 2 years for 98% and 84% of the children, respectively.
The primary outcome, mean time to resumption of normal daily activities, was similar in the two groups (about 2.5 days). Significantly more child…