Abstract
Background: Repair of inguinal hernia is one of the most frequently performed procedures in pediatric surgery.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications we encountered following repair of inguinal hernia in children.
Methodology: This was a retrospective study done in children aged 15 years and below who had complications following inguinal hernia repair (both emergency and elective) at the pediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Enugu, Nigeria, between January 2014 and December 2018.
Results: A total of 1243 cases of pediatric inguinal hernia repairs were performed during the study period. Out of this, 123 patients developed complications, accounting for 9.9% of the total cases. There was male predominance with a median age of 1 year. Most of the complications were noted in infants undergoing emergency repairs. Scrotal complications were the most common complications which resolved on non-operative treatment. Other complications in descending order of frequency included wound infection, hernia recurrence, testicular atrophy and sensory disturbances in the inguinal region. There was no mortality following the surgeries.
Conclusion: Pediatric inguinal hernia repair is a procedure with potential complications more so in infants following an emergency repair. Preoperative parental counseling and timely referral are mandatory.
References
NazemM, Dastgerdi MM, Sirous Fard M. Outcomes of pediatric inguinal hernia repair with or without opening the external oblique muscle fascia. J Res Med Sci. 2015; 20(12): 1172-6. [DOI]
Aihole JS. The demographic profile and management of infantile inguinal hernia: a 3-year’s review. Afr J Urol. 2020; 26, 28. [DOI]
Lloyd DA, Rintala RJ: Inguinal hernia, in O’Neill JA, Jr (ed): Pediatric Surgery, St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 1998; 5: 1071-86
Gupta DK, Rohatgi M. Inguinal hernia in children: an Indian experience. Pediatr Surg Int. 1993; 8: 466-8. [DOI]
Yoshimura S, Migita M, Matsufuji H. The clinical outcomes of pediatric inguinal hernia repairs operated by surgical residents. Asian J Surg. 2020; 43(7): 730-4. [DOI]
Kurlan MZ, Wels PB, Piedad OH.Inguinal herniorrhaphy by the Mitchell Banks technique. J Pediatr Surg. 1972; 7(4): 427-9. [DOI]
Summers JE. Inguinal herniorrhaphy; methods of repair in use at the present time. Am J Surg. 1950; 80(5): 540-4. [DOI]
Taqvi SR, Akhtar J, Batool T, Tabassum R, Mirza F. Complications of inguinal hernia surgery in children. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2006; 16(8): 532-5 [PubMed]
Brandt ML. Pediatric hernias. SurgClin North Am. 2008; 88(1): 27-43, vii-viii. [DOI]
Skinner MA, Grosfeld JL. Inguinal and umbilical hernia repair in infants and children. SurgClin North Am. 1993; 73(3): 439-49. [DOI]
Lau WY. History of treatment of groin hernia.World J Surg. 2002; 26(6): 748-59. [DOI]
Bamigbola KT, Nasir AA, Abdur-Rahman LO, Adeniran JO. Complicated childhood inguinal hernias in UITH, Ilorin.Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2012; 9: 227-30. [DOI]
Askarpour S, Peyvasteh M, Javaherizadeh H. Recurrence and complications of pediatric inguinal hernia repair over 5 years. Ann Pediatr Surg. 2013;9(2):58–60. [Google Scholar]
Davies M, Davies C, Morris-Stiff G, Shute K. Emergency presentation of abdominal hernias: outcome and reasons for delay in treatment-a prospective study. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007; 89(1): 47-50. [DOI]
Javaid S, Rasool N, Choudhry M. Incidence of PostOperative complications of Inguinal Hernia and Hydrocele Open Surgery in Children. PJMHS. 2018; 12(2): 440-2. [DOI]
Grosfeld JL, Minnick K, SheddF,West KW, Rescorla FJ, Vane DW. Inguinal hernia in children: factors affecting recurrence in 62 cases. J Pediatr Surg. 1991; 26(3): 283-7. [DOI]
Sonderman KA, Wolf LL, Armstong LB, Taylor B, Jiang W, Well BR et al. Testicular atrophy following inguinal hernia repair in children. 2018; 34: 553-60. [DOI]
Magnusson N, Hedberg M, Osterberg J, Sandblom G. Sensory disturbances and neuropathic pain after inguinal hernia surgery. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 2010; 1(2): 108-11. [DOI]
Shah DK, . Massive penoscrotal haematoma following inguinal hernia repair: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2008; 21: 357. [PubMed]
Abdelmohsen SM, Osman MA. Current Trend in the Management of Huge Recurrent Inguinal Hernia in Infants.A Case Series.Ommega J Pediatr. 2017; 1(1): 1-7.
Soto LJ, Saltzman DA.The use of prosthetic mesh for the pediatric hernia repair. Meshes: Benefits and Risks.2004; 306-318. [DOI]
Kristensen AD, Ahlburg P, Lauridsen MC, Jensen TS, Nikolajsen L. Chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair in children. BJA. 2012; 109(4): 603-8. [DOI]