Profile of Children with Recurrent Inguinal Hernia in a Teaching Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most performed surgical procedures in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of children who had recurrent inguinal hernia.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children aged 18 months and below who had surgery for recurrent inguinal hernia between January 2008 and December 2017 at the pediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Enugu, Nigeria.

Results: A total of 1577 cases of inguinal hernias were repaired during the study period. Out of this number, 47 patients developed recurrent inguinal hernia which represents 2.9%. There was male predominance and the median age of the patients was 6 months. About two thirds of the hernias were right sided and a bulge/swelling at the site of the previous hernia repair was the most common presentation. Missed patent processus vaginalis was the most common intra-operative finding and high ligation of the hernia sac was the most performed procedure. Surgical site infection was found to be the risk factor associated with recurrent inguinal hernia. There was no mortality.

Conclusion: Recurrent inguinal hernia in children may occur following repair of inguinal hernia. Missed patent processus was found in most of the patients. Wound infection should be avoided because it is associated with increased risk of hernia recurrence.

Keywords: Children, hernia, hospital, inguinal, recurrent.