Large intestine as content of congenital inguinal hernia: A case report of intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Introduction and importance

Hernias containing appendix, caecum and transverse colon are uncommon in contrast with usual inguinal hernias containing small intestine. The patient usually presents with inguinoscrotal swelling.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 2 months old male child presented with inguinoscrotal swelling, vomiting with abdominal distention. On Ultrasonography (USG) of the scrotum, protrusion of the abdominal cavity contents through the right inguinal canal into the scrotum of approximately 3.4 cm × 0.7 cm was found which indicates right inguinal hernia. On the opening of the hernia sac during surgical management, the appendix, caecum and transverse colon were lying inside the hernia sac. Open Herniotomy was performed and the abdomen was closed in layers. Postoperative period of the patient was uneventful.

Discussion

Congenital inguinal hernia in the child occurs mostly due to persistent processus vaginalis. History and clinical examination reveals the appearance of lump in the inguinal region or scrotum. Preoperative Ultrasonography can be used to supplement the physical examination and increase the accuracy of its diagnosis. Although the laparoscopic approach is increasingly used nowadays, open hernia repair is preferred in young children.

Conclusion

Appendix, caecum and transverse colon are unusual contents of an inguinal hernia. Open herniotomy combined with relieving of the intestinal obstruction is the treatment of choice in young children.

Highlights

• •Large intestinal obstruction in congenital inguinal hernia is a rare presentation.
• •Diagnosis of such obstructed hernias is clinically supplemented by preoperative ultrasonography.
• •Herniotomy along with relief of intestinal obstruction is the mainstay of the treatment.

1. Introduction

Inguinal hernia is protrusion of peritoneum, with or without its contents, through the anterior abdominal wall in the inguinal region [1]. Inguinal hernia are classified into direct and indirect hernia, depending on whether the protrusion is medial or lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels [2]. The majority of inguinal hernias in children and newborns are indirect and caused by a patent processus vaginalis [2,3]. Usually inguinal hernia comprises of omentum and small intestine [4]. In contrast, our case had an inguinal hernia containing appendix, caecum and transverse colon.

Here, we present a case of a congenital inguinal hernia in a 2 months old boy who presented with inguinoscrotal swelling, vomiting and abdominal distention.

This work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria [5].

2. Case presentation

A 2 months male child presented in our Emergency Room with a chief complaint of inguinoscrotal swelling for 3 days and vomiting for 2 days with a distended abdomen. The swelling was not prominent during crying. He had not passed stool and urine for the last 2 days and flatus since a day back. Vomiting was severe followed by nausea and was bile stained. Parents had not recognized the rise in body temperature during those episodes. His feeding habit was altered during that period and he used to cry and avoid breastfeeding. That was the first time a child had such complaints and before that, he was all right. According to his father, the birth of the baby was normal with a weight of 2.4 Kg, and there were not any complications after the birth. He had suckled mother milk and passed meconium within 3 hours of birth.

On examination of vitals, the temperature was 99.5℉, pulse rate was 159 beats per minute, respiratory rate was 64 breaths per minute, capillary refill time was less than 2 sec and normal oxygen saturation in room air. Examination regarding primary assessment was found to be normal except for hydration. He had mild dehydration at the time of presentation. Then systemic examination was performed, the abdomen was found to be distended and bowel sound was diminished. The scrotal sac was swollen, tender and inflamed. Other systems were grossly intact and unremarkable during an examination.

Emergency management was done before sending for diagnostic tests. Intravenous infusion of ½ normal saline along with 5ml KCl was administered at the rate of 16 ml per hour in order to manage dehydration.

On investigations, all the blood parameters were found to be in normal range except for the differential count of white blood cells where lymphocytes count increased to 63% and neutrophils count decreased to 24%. Hemoglobin level was 8 gm per dl. A plain upright x-ray (Fig. 1) of abdomen and pelvis was done which showed dilated bowel loops with multiple air-fluid levels suggesting intestinal obstruction. A USG of the scrotum was performed for further distinction, which revealed protrusion of the abdominal cavity contents through the right inguinal canal into the scrotum of approximately 3.4 cm × 0.7 cm, indicating a right obstructed inguinal hernia.

Fig. 1.

Erect abdominal X-ray showing dilated bowel loops and multiple fluid levels.

Under general anesthesia, surgical management of the obstructed hernia was performed with the lowermost transverse crease to reach the abdomen. On the opening of the hernia sac, the appendix, caecum and transverse colon were lying inside the hernia sac (Fig. 2). No content of the hernial sac was necrosed; viability of the intestine was ensured and the appendix was not inflamed. All the contents were reduced in the abdominal cavity. Open herniotomy was performed and the abdomen was closed in layers. The postoperative period of the patient was uneventful. And he was discharged after three days in the hospital, with all vital signs stable and blood parameters within the normal range at the time of discharge.

Fig. 2.

Intraoperative findings: Hernia containing portions of large intestine.

3. Clinical discussion

Inguinal hernias commonly occur in males due to weakness in the region of inguinal canal where spermatic cord passes [1]. One third of males are diagnosed with an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives which have a bimodal age distribution with the highest incidence in childhood and beyond 50 years of age [6]. In children, congenital inguinal hernia occurs as a result of patent processus vaginalis [7]. About 1–5% of full-term babies are estimated to have inguinal hernia among which most of them are boys. Indirect inguinal hernias account for nearly all of these hernias [8]. Our patient was a 2-months old boy with an obstructed indirect inguinal hernia.

Inguinal hernias are diagnosed clinically based on the common signs and symptoms [1]. Initially, the patients are assessed based on their history and clinical examination which reveals the appearance of lump in the inguinal region or scrotum [9]. The lump may be more noticeable or change its size with coughing and crying [8]. In our case the patient presented with inguinoscrotal swelling.

Hydrocele, encysted hydrocele of the cord and undescended testis were kept as differentials for the presenting complaint of an inguinoscrotal swelling. These differentials were ruled out by physical examinations. To get above the swelling was not possible and transillumination test was negative which narrowed down the diagnosis to inguinal hernia [8].

Inguinal hernias can be reducible or irreducible. In irreducible hernias, presence or absence of strangulation should be differentiated [1]. Strangulated hernia complicates the situation as the blood supply to the intestine is compromised subsequently leading to intestinal obstruction, necrosis and perforation [8]. Our patient had irreducible hernia associated with signs of intestinal obstruction but there were no signs of strangulation. Confirmation of the intestinal obstruction in our patient was made on the basis of presence of dilated bowel loops and multiple air fluid levels in the erect abdominal x-ray (Fig. 1) [8,10].

Ultrasonography(USG) is the first choice of investigation in case of occult hernias that are not discovered on clinical examination [11]. Moreover, preoperative USG can be used as an diagnostic tool to supplement the clinical examination findings and hence increase the accuracy of diagnosis of inguinal hernia [12]. Our patient also underwent USG of the scrotum which showed the herniation of abdominal cavity through right inguinal canal confirming it to be a right inguinal hernia.

Clinical experience and consensus suggest that surgical intervention is an effective treatment for inguinal hernia [1]. By assessing the risk of incarceration and strangulation in our case, surgeons preferred immediate open herniotomy. Watchful waiting strategy should be chosen after considering risk and benefit by the surgeons [13]. Herniotomy is the most preferred management strategy for inguinal hernia in younger children. However, the laparoscopic approach is increasingly used nowadays as it offers better visualization of the inguinal region, thereby helping in detection of contralateral patent processus vaginalis [14].

Overall, inguinal hernias are associated with a good prognosis. There is no significant difference regarding the recurrence rate of open hernia repair (0–6%) and laparoscopic hernia repair (0–5.5%). Other postoperative complications are chronic pain, hydrocele, wound infection, iatrogenic cryptorchidism, testicular atrophy, and injury to the spermatic cord elements [15].

4. Conclusion

Inguinal hernias are diagnosed solely based on clinical examination supplemented by preoperative ultrasonography. Such hernias containing appendix, caecum and transverse colon are rare and usually associated with intestinal obstruction. Hernia repair along with relief of the intestinal obstruction is the mainstay of the treatment.

Provenance and peer review

Not commissioned, externally peer-reviewed.

Ethical approval

Not Required.

Sources of funding

None.

Authors contribution

Dinesh Prasad Koirala(DPK), Sujan Sharma (SS) = Study concept, Data collection, and surgical therapy for the patient.

Sujan Sharma (SS), Sujan Timilsina (ST), Surya Prakash Joshi (SPJ), Saroj GC(SG) = Writing- original draft preparation.

Sujan Timilsina (ST), Surya Prakash Joshi (SPJ), Vijay Shress (VS) = Editing and writing.

Dinesh Prasad Koirala(DPK) = Senior author and manuscript reviewer.

All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient father for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal on request.

Guarantor

Dinesh Prasad Koirala accepts full responsibility for the work and/or the conduct of the study, has access to the data, and controls the decision to publish.

Declaration of competing interest

None.