The Incidence of Inguinal Hernia among Children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document clinical features of inguinal hernia (IH) in the pediatric populace. It delivers data to assess related risk factors of incarcerated hernia, its reappearance in addition to the occurrence of contra lateral metachronous hernia. Materials and Methods: We report a retrospective analytic study comprising 230 children presenting with IH and operated from April 2015 to June 2017 in the pediatric surgery department, King Abdulaziz Hospital. Results: We managed 36 girls (15.6%) and 194 boys (84.4%). The mean age was 3 years; The median age in the studied group was 3 years (range 22 days to 12 years). Males were predominantly affected (84.4%, n = 194). The rate of IH was more important in the youngest group (age < 2 years); thus, we accounted 43.5% (n = 100) infants. The cumulative incidence of hernia in the 2-6-year age group was 34.7% (n = 80). Thirteen percent (n = 31) of these patients presented with an incarceration mostly on the right side (62.6%, n = 154). We recognized that the total rate of incarcerated hernia incidence in premature group was evaluated at 27%. This rate was high, particularly in neonates and infants. Prematurity and hypotrophy were documented in 9% and 7% respectively. The mean follow-up period was 3.8 years. We think that incarceration can be related to several risk factors such as feminine gender, prematurity, and the initial left side surgical repair of the hernia. Conclusion: IH occurs mainly in male infants. Prematurity and male gender was identified as risk factors of incarceration. Contralateral metachronous hernia was reported, especially in female infants and after a left side surgical repair of the hernia.

Retrospective Analysis of Inguinal Hernia in Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Our study, unlike most others in the literature, found no significant difference in the occurrence of hernia in terms of location, with a right-to left-side ratio of 1.07:1. [5][6][7][8]16,18 There was 10.6% bilaterality of hernia, which is similar to reports in studies by Himanshu Acharya et al and Ezomike et al, 7,13 and lower than that reported in a study by Alrzoq et al 16 Among all patients, 28.8% (30/104) of cases presented with a hernia complication which required emergency surgery. Therefore, the overall incarcerations and strangulation rates in our study were 24% and 3.8%, respectively.…”

“…This is a known fact and consistent with other similar studies. 5,7,8,13,16,17 Among all patients, infants less than one year of age accounted for about 58.7% (n=61) of the cases, which is a higher proportion than reported in other countries. 5,6,18 The age range at presentation varied from 1 day to 12 years, with a mean age of 15 months, which is lower than the mean ages reported in other studies.…”

“…5,6,18 The age range at presentation varied from 1 day to 12 years, with a mean age of 15 months, which is lower than the mean ages reported in other studies. 5,16 This is because some patients will present late, assuming spontaneous closure of the hernia.…”

“…This is higher than in reports from western countries. 4,7,8,16 This high rate may be because of the lack of sufficiently high ligation of the sac or early interference following incarcerated bowel reduction. There was one case of contralateral hernia detected 10 months after the initial right-sided hernia repair during the study period, giving an incidence rate for metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) of 0.9%.…”

Effect of Implementing Acupressure Technique on Gastrointestinal Problems and Pain Control for Children Post Abdominal Surgeries

“…Hernias are common in children and required various measures of treatment than an adult. It can occur due to weakness in the muscles of the abdomen in which part of the intestine may push through the weak area (Alrzoq, Alhaji & Alolayt, 2018). N a u s e a a n d v o m i t i n g a r e p o s t o p e r a t i v e gastrointestinal problems that may occur after operation and administration of anesthesia.…”