Inguinal hernia repair in children: Surgical technique

Simultaneous Presentation of a Right Littre's Hernia and a Left Amyand's Hernia in a School-Aged Patient

Introduction

Inguinal hernia is the most common condition in both male and female subjects. Amyand's hernia is characterized by the presence of the cecal appendix, swollen or not, inside the inguinal hernia sac. It is a rare condition and represents 1% of all the inguinal hernia pathology. Littre's hernia (LH) is a condition defined by the presence of a Meckel diverticulum (MD) inside a hernial sac. It is an extremely rare condition, with less than 50 cases reported in the last three hundred years, present in only 1% of all diagnosed MD.

Case Presentation

A six-year-old male patient presented with a history of two bilateral protruding masses in the inguinal-scrotal region that have continued to grow since birth. No gastrointestinal symptoms were reported. Physical examination showed a bilateral inguinoscrotal mass which increased in size during the Valsalva maneuver. Surgical intervention was carried out with a bilateral hernia repair being performed under an anterior method, the surgical invagination of the MD within the small intestine and the appendix within the caecum.

Conclusion

Both entities should be considered as a differential diagnosis when it comes to a pediatric patient with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernias with an uncertain etiology, allowing an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. We present here the first recorded case of both Amyand's hernia and Littre's hernia presenting simultaneously in a pediatric patient.

Is contralateral inguinal exploration necessary in preterm girls undergoing inguinal hernia repair during the first months of life?

BACKGROUND

To assess the need for contralateral surgical exploration in preterm girls with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia.

METHODS

The medical data of girls operated for inguinal hernia between 2004 and 2016 in a single pediatric surgery center were retrospectively collected. Preterm girls operated for unilateral hernia before 6 months of life were selected (55/517 cases) to assess the incidence and risk factors for contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH).

RESULTS

CMIH was observed in 7% of cases (4 girls with a right inguinal hernia in 3 cases) at a mean age of 4.2 years. Only one case occurred early (3 months). Birth weight and term were comparable (1674 ± 620 g and 32 ± 5 WA without CMIH vs. 1694 ± 582 g and 33 ± 3 WA with CMIH).

CONCLUSION

Contralateral inguinal hernia is very rare and generally occurs several years after inguinal repair surgery in preterm girls, which should encourage practitioners to follow these children throughout childhood for the subsequent development of inguinal hernia. This study did not find any arguments in favor of systematic contralateral exploration in preterm girls.