Laparoscopic repair of a sliding right inguinal hernia containing both fallopian tubes, both ovaries and the uterus in an infant: A case report

Abstract

Introduction

Sliding inguinal hernias containing the uterus, fallopian tubes, and adnexa are rare and can be challenging to repair, especially in infants.

Case presentation

A 4-month-old female infant, born prematurely from a triplet pregnancy, had been managed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for several months before discharge. She was referred to us with swelling in the right inguinal area. The other two triplets had inguinal hernias and had undergone surgical repair at the same hospital. On physical exam, the patient had a sizable, reducible hernia with no signs of obstruction or strangulation. She was taken to the operating room for a laparoscopic exploration, which was done with one 5-mm port for a camera and two 3-mm working ports. We found a sliding right inguinal hernia that contained both ovaries, both fallopian tubes, and part of the uterus in the hernial sac. The contents were carefully reduced, the hernial sac was carefully dissected, and the defect was repaired laparoscopically using a purse-string suture. No hernia was found on the left side. The postoperative course was uneventful. At six months of follow-up, she is doing well and has no signs of recurrence.

Conclusion

Sliding inguinal hernias containing bilateral ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the uterus are rare. Laparoscopy can help with the diagnosis, the reduction of the contents, and allows to assess the condition of the reduced organs.