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A case of incarcerated femoral hernia in an infant
Takaaki Tsushimi1, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Hidenori Gohra
1Department of Surgery, Yamaguchi Saiseikai General Hospital, 2-11 Midoricho, Yamaguchi, 753-8517, Japan. tsushimi@mx52.tiki.ne.jp
Insights
This case study details an infant
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Anatomy
Background:
- Femoral hernias are rare in infants, with incarcerated cases requiring urgent surgical intervention.
- Groin hernias in infants are typically inguinal, making femoral hernias a diagnostic challenge.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old infant presented with an incarcerated right groin hernia unresponsive to manual reduction.
- Intraoperative findings revealed the hernial sac extending under the inguinal ligament, characteristic of a femoral hernia.
- The small intestine within the sac appeared dark red, indicating compromised blood flow due to strangulation.
Findings:
- Emergency surgery confirmed an incarcerated femoral hernia in the infant.
- The intestine's color improved after relieving the constriction, avoiding resection.
- The anatomical course of the hernial sac under the inguinal ligament was a key diagnostic feature.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering femoral hernias in infant groin masses, even when presentation mimics inguinal hernias.
- Emphasizes prompt surgical evaluation for incarcerated groin hernias in infants to prevent intestinal compromise.
- Demonstrates successful non-resectional management of strangulated intestine in pediatric femoral hernias with timely intervention.
Abstract:
The authors describe the case of an incarcerated femoral hernia in an infant. A 4-month-old female infant was hospitalized with an incarcerated right groin hernia. Attempts to reduce the mass were unsuccessful, so an emergency surgery was performed. During surgery, the hernial sac seemed to protrude under the inguinal ligament. The authors opened the hernial sac and observed a dark red small intestine. The authors did not resect the intestine because its color gradually improved after the constriction was released. The hernial sac passed under the inguinal ligament, and the infant was diagnosed with incarcerated femoral hernia.