Inguinal hernias containing the uterus: a case series of 7 female children.

BACKGROUND: Hernia uteri inguinale (HUI), or uterus-containing inguinal hernia, is an extremely rare condition in which the uterus and uterine adnexa are found in the inguinal hernial sac in female infants. The uterus may be free within the sac adherent to the wall by adhesions or a true sliding component. However, in true sliding-type HUI, one of the walls of the hernia sac is formed by the uterus itself.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records for all female children with inguinal hernia who were operated from 1999 through 2010 were reviewed retrospectively (n = 3100).

RESULTS: Among these patients, we identified seven cases of HUI in infants with a normal female karyotype. The incidence of HUI was 0.23%. Patients were discharged on the postoperative 1st day with no complications.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of presence of the uterus or another organ in the hernial sac in phenotypic female children, and sliding components should be replaced carefully into the abdomen to prevent any damage.