Early Versus Late Inguinal Hernia Repair in Preterm Neonates: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis

In brief

This systematic review compares early versus delayed inguinal hernia repair in preterm neonates, examining the trade-offs between incarceration risk and perioperative complications. The analysis addresses timing controversies in the absence of consensus guidelines, helping clinicians weigh risks of repair during birth hospitalization versus post-discharge.

• Timing of inguinal hernia repair in preterm neonates lacks consensus—practices vary widely across institutions.
• Early repair (during birth hospitalization) may reduce incarceration risk but increases perioperative complications.
• Delayed repair (post-discharge) lowers anesthetic risk but increases incarceration risk while awaiting surgery.
• No clear evidence-based guidelines exist to standardize timing decisions for this vulnerable population.
• Clinicians must weigh individual patient factors when deciding between early versus delayed surgical intervention.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.