Does inguinal hernia with ovary and/or fallopian tube in female children after herniotomy affect secondary sexual characteristics and/or fertility? A long-term retrospective study.

Background: The risk of injury to the ovary and/or fallopian tube during herniotomy is notably high when these structures are involved in the hernial contents of female children. This study evaluates the impact of herniotomy involving the ovary and fallopian tube on secondary sexual characteristics and fertility.

Methods: The medical records for all female children with inguinal hernia who underwent surgery from January 2000 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively (n = 1623).

Results: A total of 20 female children aged between 2 years and 12 years (mean 5.5years) were diagnosed with ovary and/or fallopian tube contents within their inguinal hernia sacs. Preoperative B-ultrasound confirmed these findings in all 20 patients. Intraoperatively, 14 hernia sacs contained both ovaries and fallopian tubes and 6 contained only ovaries. There were 12 cases on the right side, 7 cases on the left side and 1 case on both sides. All underwent successful hernia reduction and sac repair without any recurrences. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 20 years, averaging 15.5 years. During follow-up, 13 patients had normal pregnancy, 7 patients had normal secondary sexual characteristics.

Conclusion: Preoperative B-ultrasonography and careful discerning of the hernia contents during herniotomy may help avoid incision or excision of the ovary and/or fallopian tube.