Management of inguinal hernia with prolapsed ovary in very low birthweight infants during neonatal intensive care unit hospitalisation.

Aim: Prolapsed ovary (PO) in an inguinal hernia (IH) may cause torsion and infarction; however, the management of IH with PO in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalisation remains inconsistent.

Methods: The medical records of 47 IHs in 30 VLBW infants during NICU hospitalisation between 2008 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Of the 47 IHs, PO was diagnosed in 18 (38.3%). Post-natal age and body weight at diagnosis of IH with PO were 71 (44-172) days and 2120 (1305-2965) g, respectively. Seventeen IHs with PO underwent surgery for correction electively just before discharge from the NICU at the age and body weight of 94 (51-187) days and 2645 (2340-2945) g, respectively. Therefore, the time interval between diagnosis and surgery was 15 (7-90) days. There was no torsion of ovary before surgery and no postoperative complications, including apnoea and recurrence.

Conclusions: The high incidence of IH with PO in VLBW infants during NICU hospitalisation was confirmed in this study. Under careful observation, elective IH repair just before discharge from the NICU could be one acceptable option for the management of IH with PO in VLBW infants during NICU hospitalisation to prevent torsion and infarction of ovary.