Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of performing minilaparoscopy compared with standard laparoscopy in the treatment of cryptorchidism with an ipsilateral inguinal hernia. Materials and Methods: In total, 46 patients with cryptorchidism and an ipsilateral inguinal hernia were admitted to the Urology and Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery Departments of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between October 2009 and July 2019. They were assigned to two groups: Group M and Group S. In Group M, 24 patients underwent herniorrhaphy and orchiopexy using minilaparoscopy, and in Group S, 22 patients underwent herniorrhaphy and orchiopexy using standard laparoscopy. Surgeons chose the procedure at random, and the patients were blinded to the selected procedure. Results: Postoperative painkiller demand (P = .043) and first postoperative day Numerical Rating Scale scores (P = .032) were lower in Group M than Group S, and the average hospital stay was shorter (P = .041) in Group M. Furthermore, 21 of the 24 procedures in Group M were successful, 3 procedures of Group M were converted from mini- to standard laparoscopy, and all 22 procedures in Group S were successful. The Observer Scar Assessment Scale questionnaire results of Group M were significantly higher than for patients in Group S (P = .038). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that treatment of cryptorchidism with ipsilateral inguinal hernia using minilaparoscopy is as safe and effective as standard laparoscopy.
Keywords: cryptorchidism; hernia; herniorrhaphy; inguen; mini-laparoscopy; orchiopexy.