Indirect inguinal hernia containing the uterus and ovaries in premature female infants about a case

Abstract

Balla Keita, Mamadou Madiou Barry*, Alpha Touré, Mohamed Lamine Sadou Sacko, Thierno Saidou Barry and Daniel Agbo-panzo

Introduction: Inguinal hernias containing the uterus, adnexa, and fallopian tubes in preterm infants is a clinical entity very rarely reported in the literature. The case is reported to alert the exiguous frequency of this clinical entity and to remind that surgical repair can be simple and classical.

Case report: A girl of 54 days of age was received in outpatient clinic for a firm and painless left non-expansive inguinal swelling born prematurely. Surgery through an open inguinal approach was scheduled and performed after two weeks. The sac contained the uterus, adnexa, and tubes. Contralateral exploration found a residual sac which was also repaired. The postoperative course was simple.

Discussion: Embryologically there is no reliable explanation why the uterus and its adnexa should be herniated in the girl. The majority of authors agree that the elongation of the suspensory ligaments of the ovaries and the non-fusion of the mullerian ducts are factors that increase the mobility of these ducts and are therefore a possibility of deviation. Despite the rarity of this clinical presentation, dissociation of the sac from its sac can be easy and a classical cure by ligation and upper resection of the sac is a possibility.

Conclusion: We would like to point out, in addition to the small frequency of this clinical entity, that the surgical cure is classic like any hernia in children. We recommend a contralateral exploration.