Incidence of sliding ovary and fallopian tube in congenital inguinal hernia among female children

Introduction Indirect inguinal hernia has incidence of 0.8–4.4%. In female children, the hernia sac contains an ovary in approximately 20–25% of cases, and some also contain a fallopian tube. Different forms of injury to ovaries and fallopian tubes were reported in female children who had herniotomy. Patients and methods Prospective study to evaluate incidence and surgical importance of sliding ovary and fallopian tube in congenital inguinal hernia in female children at Menoufia university hospitals between March 2012 and August 2015 included 118 female children with 31 cases with bilateral hernia with total of 149 hernias. Results Hernias were bilateral in 31 (26.2%) children, 52 hernias were on the right side (44.1%), and 35(29.7%) were on the left. 18 cases (15.2%) presented with irreducible hernia; 15 of them were sliding hernia and the other 3 reduced spontaneously with induction of anesthesia. Overall sliding hernias with ovary and or fallopian tube were 52 of the 149 hernias (34.8%). Conclusion Sliding ovary and fallopian tube is not uncommon finding and it is found in nearly one third of congenital inguinal hernia in female children, so from a clinical point of view, it is of utmost importance to keep in mind this fact while dealing with hernia sac. Hernia sac should be opened in all cases to exclude the presence of sliding ovary and tube; and if present the sliding ovary and tube should be carefully dissected and reduced before ligation of the sac in order to avoid their injuries.