研究目的：我們回顧小於18歲之原發性腹股溝疝氣修補術後疝氣復發及直接型疝氣之發生率。材料與方法：從1999年五月至2004年四月總共有214位小於18歲之原發性腹股溝疝氣病患接受疝氣修補手術。平均年齡是4.7歲。在術前，有17位(8.0%)有兩側性疝氣，有85位(40.0%)有左側性疝氣，有113位(52.0%)有右側性疝氣。所有之間接型疝氣皆以標準之疝氣袋高位結紮方式修補，而直接型疝氣則以Lichtenstein技術修補。細地保留精索動脈及淋巴管。所有同側疝氣復發或對側疝氣發生均經過手術再確認。結果：平均追蹤1.3年，有6位病患無法追蹤，因此最後總共有208位病患包含在這研究中，有超過99%的病患是間接型疝氣，有6位病患(1.9%)有同側疝氣之復發，有19位病患(9.1%)在18.5個月的追蹤中有對側疝氣之發生。結論：以標準之疝氣袋高位結紮方式修補小於18歲之原發性腹股溝疝氣是安全且有效的手術，且對於小於18歲之原發性腹股溝疝氣沒有必要進行後腹壁修補術。

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively reviewed inguinal hernia patients ≤18 years old to determine the incidence of direct hernias and the rate of hernia recurrence. METHODS: Data on 214 patients ≤18 years old with a primary inguinal hernia between May 1999 and April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 4.7 years. Before the operation, there were synchronous bilateral hernias in 17 (8.0%) patients, a left inguinal hernia in 85 (40%) patients, and a right inguinal hernia in 113 (52%) patients. Indirect inguinal hernias were repaired with a simple herniotomy, and direct hernias were repaired with the Lichtenstein technique. Recurrences and contralateral occurrences were confirmed by surgical exploration. RESULTS: Six patients were lost to follow-up. Ultimately, 208 patients were included in the current study. The mean follow-up time was 1.3 years. In this study, more than 99% of patients had indirect inguinal hernias. Recurrent inguinal hernias were noted in 4 (1.9%) patients. The contralateral occurrence of a hernia was noted in 19 (9.1%) patients at a median interval of 18.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: A simple herniotomy is effective and safe in patient ≤18 years old with a primary inguinal hernia. Posterior wall enhancement is not necessary in patients ≤18 years old with a primary inguinal hernia.