Inguinal Hernia in Female Children: A Single Surgeon's Experience

Chukwubuike Kevin Emeka*

Department of Surgery, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

^*Correspondance to: Chukwubuike Kevin Emeka 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3198

Abstract

Background: Inguinal hernia is a common surgical condition in children. In females, there is a risk of injury to the ovary or fallopian tube during the surgical repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate a single surgeon?s experience in the management of female children who presented with inguinal hernia. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of female children aged 15 years and younger who had inguinal hernia repair over a 5 year period. The age, presenting symptoms, side of the hernia, interval between symptom and presentation, interval between presentation and surgery, operative procedure performed, intra-operative finding/content of the hernia sac, post-operative complications, and duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment were assessed. Results: A total of 1,142 cases of inguinal hernia repairs were undertaken during the study period. Out this number, 227 inguinal hernia repairs were performed in females. Infants were mostly affected and repair of the inguinal hernia was performed as day cases. All the patients presented with swelling in the inguinal region and right sided inguinal hernia predominated. At surgery, about one quarter of the hernia sac contains the ovary or fallopian tube and surgical site infection was the most common post-operative complication. There was no mortality. Conclusion: Inguinal hernias in females may not be as common as inguinal hernias in males, but there is a significant risk of damage to the reproductive organs (fallopian tube or ovary) during surgery for the repair of the hernia.

Keywords

Children; Experience; Female; Inguinal hernia

Cite the article

Emeka CK. Inguinal Hernia in Female Children: A Single Surgeon's Experience. Clin Surg. 2021; 6: 3198..