Hernia uterus inguinale in a two months old female infant

Mahwish Noor-Ul-Haq1, Muhammad Azam1, Muhammad Sharif1

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Insights

A rare case of indirect inguinal hernia in an infant girl contained female reproductive organs. Early diagnosis via ultrasound and surgical repair were crucial to prevent complications like infertility.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Medical Imaging
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Indirect inguinal hernias are common in infants, but rare in females.
  • Inclusion of uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in the hernial sac is exceptionally uncommon.
  • Strangulation of these organs poses risks of severe illness and infertility, necessitating prompt intervention.

Observation:

  • A two-month-old female infant presented with an irreducible left groin mass.
  • Ultrasound diagnosis revealed an indirect incarcerated inguinal hernia.
  • The hernia sac contained viable uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

Findings:

  • Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes within the hernial sac.
  • The surgical approach involved high ligation of the hernial sac and repair of the internal inguinal ring.
  • The infant experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering rare presentations of inguinal hernias in pediatric patients.
  • Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool for differentiating infant inguinal hernias and their contents.
  • Timely surgical management is essential to preserve organ viability and prevent long-term complications such as infertility.