1 Background

The definition, the types as well as surgical management of giant inguinoscrotal hernias in adults have been well published in the literature; its presentation in children has rarely been reported.

2 Case presentation

2.1 Case 1

A four-year-old male child brought to us by parents with history of huge left inguinoscrotal swelling, noticed after a month of age and gradually started increasing in size to attain the present size of massive hernia around 25 cm × 12 cm reaching up to mid-thigh on standing (Type 1) (Fig. 1a). The swelling was partially reducible without any associated tenderness. The child never had any episodes of irreducibility, pain, bowel or bladder dysfunction or any associated chronic cough. His weight and height were appropriate for his age. Having normal biochemical and haematological parameters operative intervention was planned.

Fig. 1
figure 1

a Clinical picture of Left giant inguinoscrotal hernia. b Clinical picture of Right giant inguinoscrotal hernia. c Reduction of hernial contents under general anaesthesia

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Giant inguinoscrotal hernia was reduced completely under general anaesthesia (Fig. 1b); thick and huge indirect inguinal hernia sac was felt; hence, the standard Fergusons herniotomy was performed by exposing the inguinal canal via inguinal skin crease 1.5 cm incision, giant; thick inguinoscrotal hernia sac was isolated meticulously from the spermatic cord structures and the proximal sac was ligated and transfixed at the normal looking deep inguinal ring (Fig. 2a, b), the excessive distal sac was trimmed and wound was closed in layers without any difficulty (Fig. 2c, d). Child was started on feeds after 4 h and discharged after 12 h. The child is doing well on three year’s follow-up.

Fig. 2
figure 2

a Isolated proximal sac without any contents. b Curvilinear arrow pointing at ligated and transfixed proximal sac, c opened distal sac with cord structures on index finger. d Excision of excessive redundant distal sac. e Histopathological picture of hernial sac (Low power 10 × view)—showing vascular fibrous wall. f High power view 40 × -Fibrous wall of sac

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2.2 Case 2

A five-year-old male child born by full-term vaginal delivery with a birth weight of 2.8 kg; brought to us with history of right inguinoscrotal swelling noticed 10 days after birth. The swelling has gradually progressed to attain the present size of 22 cm × 10 cm, partially reducible hernia on right inguino scrotal region reaching up to mid-thigh on standing posture (Type 1) (Fig. 1b). Child was clinically stable, without any history of irreducibility of the swelling or any other anomalies with normal bowel and bladder functions. Having routine laboratory investigations including cardiac evaluation normal, child was managed by right hernitomy through inguinal skin crease incision under general anaesthesia excising excessive distal sac, after ligation of proximal sac at the level of normal looking deep inguinal ring with absorbable suture and wound was closed uneventfully. Child was discharged next day. Histopathological examination of distal sac revealed fibrous wall. The child is doing well on two year’s follow-up (Fig. 2e, f).

Both children withstood the surgical procedure well.

3 Discussion

The processus vaginalis a ‘tongue or finger’ of the peritoneum develops at around 12th week of gestation helps in testicular descent which usually regresses at around 36 to 40th week. In few neonates, this process is incomplete, hence, patent processus vaginalis (PPV) remains, 20% of which will close by first year of age [1, 2].

The closure of the PV on the left side precedes the right; therefore, it is not surprising that 60% of congenital inguinal hernia noticed on the right side [1, 2].

Isolated inguinal and inguinoscrotal hernias are common in infants as well as in children, which can be managed successfully with standard Fergusons technique. Though rare, Giant inguinoscrotal hernias in adults have been reported in the literature, but, however, their occurrence in children has rarely been reported as well as their definition.

Due to the massive size of giant inguinoscrotal hernias, child will have discomfort in walking, playing, sitting and lying down; hence, affecting the quality of life as well as having impact on psychological and social life. These patients might have bowel or bladder disturbances [3,4,5].

The reason for late presentation may be due to parental or caretaker’s ignorance or may be due to fear of exposing the child for surgical procedure.

As per new classification system in adults; giant inguinoscrotal hernias have been classified into 3 types as seen on standing position. Type 1 inguinoscrotal hernia extending to mid inner thigh, type 2 extending midway between mid inner thigh to supra patellar line; type 3 extending to superior border of patellar bone [3,4,5]; however, its practical applicability in children is yet to be ascertained.

These cases should be operated immediately to avoid the morbidity like ulceration over the swelling or incarceration [3,4,5].

Giant inguinoscrotal hernias pose surgical challenge due to resultant cardio respiratory compromise following sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure during reduction in herniated viscera especially in adults requiring post-operative mechanical ventilation following tension-free mesh hernioplasty [3,4,5], however, such difficulties were not encountered in these two children.

Author had two male children presenting with asymptomatic huge inguinoscrotal hernia type 1, without having any symptoms or comorbidities, both were uneventfully managed by standard Fergusons herniotomy in a tertiary care neonatal and paediatric centre in southern India.

4 Conclusion

Awareness from the parents, care takers, as well as primary health professionals, is required for earlier management of such children in a tertiary care paediatric centre avoiding morbidity as well as mortality.