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Gender-related differences of inguinal hernia and asymptomatic patent processus vaginalis in term and preterm infants
Christine Burgmeier1, Jens Dreyhaupt2, Felix Schier3
1Department of General and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
Insights
Gender and gestational age impact inguinal hernia (IH) and patent processus vaginalis (PPV) presentation in infants. Laterality and IH/PPV incidence vary significantly between term and preterm males and females.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Research
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Inguinal hernia (IH) and patent processus vaginalis (PPV) are common in infants.
- Understanding gender and gestational age-related differences is crucial for surgical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gender-specific differences in IH and PPV presentation.
- To compare IH and PPV characteristics in term versus preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 411 infants undergoing laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.
- Analysis of data from term (246) and preterm (165) infants within the first six months of life.
- Evaluation of initial IH presentation and intraoperative PPV findings.
Main Results:
- Term infants predominantly presented with right-sided IH, while preterm infants often had bilateral IH.
- Female infants showed a higher incidence of left-sided IH.
- Girls with left-sided IH had the highest PPV incidence, whereas term males with left-sided IH had the lowest.
Conclusions:
- IH and PPV incidence and laterality differ based on gestational age and gender.
- Contralateral groin exploration decisions in open hernia repair should account for these demographic factors.
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to analyze the gender-related differences of inguinal hernia (IH) and patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in term and preterm infants.
Methods:
Over a nine-year-period 411 infants underwent laparoscopic herniorrhaphy within the first six months of life. 246 term (191 male; 55 female) and 165 preterm (118 male; 47 female) infants were included in this retrospective study. Initial presentation of IH and intraoperative anatomical findings of PPV were reviewed.
Results:
We found that term boys (58.6%) and girls (58.2%) predominantly presented with right-sided IH whereas preterm boys (36.4%) and girls (44.7%) mostly presented with bilateral IH. Female babies had a higher incidence of initial left-sided IH. Term and preterm girls with initial left-sided hernia were found to have highest incidence of PPV. Male term babies with initial left-sided IH were found to have the lowest incidence of PPV (25.0%). The highest incidence of PPV in male was found in preterm boys with either left- or right-sided IH.
Conclusion:
Incidence and laterality of IH and PPV differ between term and preterm girls and boys. In open hernia repair decision concerning contralateral groin exploration should consider term/preterm birth as well as gender.
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