Sliding hernias in female children

Surgical Management of Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Guideline from the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Evidence and Guideline Committee

INTRODUCTION

 Inguinal hernia repair represents the most common operation in childhood; however, consensus about the optimal management is lacking. Hence, recommendations for clinical practice are needed. This study assesses the available evidence and compiles recommendations on pediatric inguinal hernia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 The European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Evidence and Guideline Committee addressed six questions on pediatric inguinal hernia repair with the following topics: (1) open versus laparoscopic repair, (2) extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal repair, (3) contralateral exploration, (4) surgical timing, (5) anesthesia technique in preterm infants, and (6) operation urgency in girls with irreducible ovarian hernia. Systematic literature searches were performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase (Ovid), and The Cochrane Library. Reviews and meta-analyses were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement.

RESULTS

 Seventy-two out of 5,173 articles were included, 27 in the meta-analyses. Laparoscopic repair shortens bilateral operation time compared with open repair. In preterm infants, hernia repair after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/hospital discharge is associated with less respiratory difficulties and recurrences, regional anesthesia is associated with a decrease of postoperative apnea and pain. The review regarding operation urgency for irreducible ovarian hernia gained insufficient evidence of low quality.

CONCLUSION

 Laparoscopic repair may be beneficial for children with bilateral hernia and preterm infants may benefit using regional anesthesia and postponing surgery. However, no definite superiority was found and available evidence was of moderate-to-low quality. Evidence for other topics was less conclusive. For the optimal management of inguinal hernia repair, a tailored approach is recommended taking into account the local facilities, resources, and expertise of the medical team involved.

Close relationship between the short round ligament and the ovarian prolapsed inguinal hernia in female infants

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the length of the round ligament and the presence of a patent processus vaginalis (PV) based on the hypothesis that a short round ligament is the cause of ovarian inguinal hernia in female infants.

METHODS

Between April 2011 and March 2017, 132 girls underwent laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia. Before surgery, the presence of ovarian prolapse was diagnosed. We observed the internal inguinal ring laparoscopically and examined the diameter of the PV orifice as well as the round ligament length. Medical records and video records were reviewed to evaluate PV patency and round ligament length.

RESULTS

Seventeen of the 132 cases had an ovarian inguinal hernia; all of them were infants. In all infants, with or without a prolapsed ovary, the round ligament was short, causing the ovary and fallopian tube to be close to the hernia orifice over the pelvic brim. In girls aged over 12 months, the round ligament lengths on the hernia side, contralateral open PV side, and contralateral closed PV side were 33.0 ± 9.3, 36.8 ± 7.5, and 41.4 ± 8.5 mm, respectively. The round ligament length in open PV was significantly shorter than in the closed PV, but the difference was smaller in older patients.

CONCLUSION

The round ligament, which is the female gubernaculum in the fetus, was shorter in the open PV than in the closed PV in younger girls. The short round ligament results in the ovarian prolapsed hernia.

Features and Techniques of Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure for Ovarian Hernia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the simple laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) method for treating ovarian hernia patients, including newborns and low-birth-weight infants.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of ovarian hernia that were treated in our institution from May 2012 to September 2017.

RESULTS

Thirty-four infants were included in this study (right side, n = 8; left side, n = 22; bilateral, n = 4). The mean corrected age was 2.3 ± 2.8 months and the mean body weight was 4.4 ± 1.6 kg. The contralateral positive rate was 53%, and 34% of the cases showed sliding of the fallopian tube. Umbilical hernias were observed in 24 cases (71%). The mean operative time was 53 ± 20 minutes. The LPEC procedure was successful in 32 cases; two cases were converted to open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Small infants with ovarian hernia have some specific features such as a shortened round ligament and the presence of peritoneum cavities that require skillful techniques when being surgically repaired. The simple LPEC procedure can be performed safely with a low risk of recurrence, even in infants with sliding of the fallopian tube.

[Sliding ingvinal haernias in children]

AIM

To study the features of diagnosis and treatment of children with sliding inguinal hernias.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

30-year experience of treatment of 19 boys with sliding inguinal hernia and 1 boy with bilateral sliding femoral hernia was analyzed.

RESULTS

14 out of all children with inguinal and femoral hernia admitted with the diagnosis of incarcerated inguinal hernia. Accurate diagnosis was established during the operation as a rule. Surgical treatment of sliding hernias in children presents some difficulties. Intraoperative injury of bladder was observed in 2 children with sliding inguinal hernia. All children with sliding hernias have recovered after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Sliding inguinal hernia in children are rare, sliding femoral hernia is even rarer. In most cases children with sliding inguinal hernias are diagnosed with incarcerated inguinal hernia. Colon and bladder as the elements of sliding inguinal hernias remain viable after infringement.

Complications in common general pediatric surgery procedures

Complications related to general pediatric surgery procedures are a major concern for pediatric surgeons and their patients. Although infrequent, when they occur the consequences can lead to significant morbidity and psychosocial stress. The purpose of this article is to discuss the common complications encountered during several common pediatric general surgery procedures including inguinal hernia repair (open and laparoscopic), umbilical hernia repair, laparoscopic pyloromyotomy, and laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopic repair of sliding inguinal hernia in female children

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic repair of sliding inguinal hernia in female children.

METHODS

Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) was performed in 482 female inguinal hernia children between 2006 and 2015. Fourteen of these patients were associated with sliding inguinal hernia, and these 14 patients were enrolled and reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age and the body weight at the operation was 9.6 months and 7.8 kg. Seven patients required the reduction of the ovary under general anesthesia. Laparoscopy, however, revealed that five patients had severe sliding of fallopian tube into the inguinal canal. One of these five patients received a simple LPEC, but developed the recurrence due to the low ligation of the hernia sac, and needed the second hernia repair under inguinal approach. Other four patients with fallopian tube sliding required the dissection of the fallopian tube and peritoneal repair, or the conversion to inguinal approach; therefore they had longer surgical time compared to those without fallopian tube sliding.

CONCLUSION

LPEC is safe and feasible for the sliding inguinal hernia repair except the cases with fallopian tube sliding. Patients with fallopian tube sliding required additional procedure or conversion to inguinal approach.