Congenital Hernia Research Articles

A Case Report of Left Paraduodenal Hernia in a young boy

Internal hernia is a relatively uncommon condition and is a rare type of intestinal obstruction. Paraduodenal hernia (PDH) is the most frequent type of congenital hernia, especially on the left side. Although acute intestinal obstruction due to internal hernias is rare, it can be fatal if it is not identified and treated right away. The clinical diagnosis of paraduodenal hernia is difficult due to its rarity and variable symptoms. Here, we present the case of a 14-year-old boy who had been experiencing intermittent abdominal pain for a week duration. The pain had been worse during the previous two days, and the boy also experienced nausea and repeated vomiting episodes. He was otherwise healthy and had no history of previous abdominal operations. A left paraduodenal hernia was diagnosed based on the findings of a computed tomography scan, which showed a dilated small bowel loop occupying the left hypochondrial region anterior to the pararenal region. Due to the complicated nature of the disease, the patient had an exploratory laparotomy, during which herniated jejunal loops were reduced and hernial sac wide opened to prevent a recurrence. The patient tolerated the procedure, and recovery was uneventful. This case sheds light on the importance of considering the diagnosis of left paraduodenal hernia in patients with abdominal pain, particularly among those who have not undergone abdominal surgery previously. Early detection and treatment can prevent life-threatening complications such as intestinal perforation and peritonitis.

Knowledge and Awareness of Congenital Inguinal and Umbilical Hernia and Its Complications in the Pediatric Population Among Parents in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Congenital umbilical and inguinal hernias are prevalent in infants and children. The exact incidence of congenital umbilical hernias remains unclear due to their typically asymptomatic nature, resulting in limited medical attention-seeking by parents. As these hernias are associated with serious complications such as incarceration, strangulation, and, rarely, obstruction, timely recognition and early medical intervention play a critical role in preventing these complications. This study aimed to investigate the level of knowledge and awareness of congenital inguinal and umbilical hernia and its complications in the pediatric population among parents in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among parents living in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the targeted parents using an online survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data (i.e., gender, marital status, education), general awareness about umbilical and inguinal hernia, and a six-item questionnaire to measure parents' knowledge regarding umbilical and inguinal hernia. Results A total of 440 parents responded to our survey (30.9% males vs. 69.1% females). Overall, 49.5% had at least four or more children. Of the study participants, 19.8% knew of both umbilical and inguinal hernias. The overall median knowledge score of six knowledge items was2.00 (interquartile range = 2.00). Most parents (64.3%) had poor knowledge, and only 2.3% of them had good knowledge. Higher education, awareness of the meaning of congenital inguinal or umbilical hernias, and having children with a previous history of umbilical or inguinal hernia symptoms were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusions The parents' knowledge regarding congenital umbilical or inguinal hernia was deficient. Parents with self-knowledge of the disease were likely to demonstrate better umbilical and inguinal hernia knowledge than the rest of the groups. This study highlights the importance of awareness campaigns in bridging the knowledge gap.

Congenital trans-mesentric internal hernia: a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction in adult

Introduction and Importance: Internal hernia is responsible for 0.6–5.8% of all small intestinal obstructions. Only 8% of internal hernias are of the congenital trans mesenteric variant. Urgent surgical intervention should be considered in individuals who exhibit intestinal obstruction before the development of irreversible bowel ischemia and necrosis. Case Presentation: The authors report a 38-year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting for the last three days. After an explorative laparotomy, it was confirmed that there was a trans mesenteric hernia defect with strangulated distal ileal loops. End-to-end ileo-ileal anastomosis was done. Clinical Discussion: Early recognition and subsequent surgical treatment permit proper management and prevent complications. There should be a differential diagnosis. In this case, there is no prior history of abdominal surgery, and the patient presents with recurrent abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and emergency laparotomy can save the intestine before gangrene, lowering morbidity and mortality, correcting the mesenteric defect to prevent recurrences, and enhancing clinical outcomes because many studies have shown that some cases are missed before radiological investigation. Laparotomy is still the method of choice for acute cases of incarceration with bowel obstruction, strangulation, and ischemia. The entire mesentery needs to be evaluated, and all mesenteric defects need to be sutured to prevent recurrence.

A Comparative Study Of Caudal Epidural Bupivacaine And Midazolam-Bupivacaine Mixture For Post-Operative Analgesia In Children Repairing Congenital Inguinal Hernia

Background: Managing postoperative pain in pediatric anesthesia is challenging, with caudal epidural anesthesia being a preferred technique for its safety and efficacy. Enhancing analgesia duration through adjuvants like midazolam may improve outcomes. Objective: This study compares the effectiveness of caudal epidural bupivacaine alone versus a bupivacainemidazolam mixture in children undergoing repair of congenital inguinal hernia, circumcision, and hypospadias repair, focusing on postoperative analgesia duration and side effects. Materials and Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at Islami Bank Medical College Hospital from October 2023 to March 2024, involving 50 children aged 2-8 years, divided into two groups: Group A (bupivacaine-midazolam) and Group B (bupivacaine alone). Pain was assessed using the FLACC scale at specified intervals up to 24 hours post-surgery. Results: Group A experienced significantly longer postoperative analgesia (10.72 ± 4.07 hours) compared to Group B (6.13 ± 1.98 hours). Mild pain was more common in Group A (72.7%) than Group B (87.5%), while moderate pain was higher in Group A (27.3%) than Group B (12.5%). Side effects were minimal, with Group A having no side effects and Group B experiencing 8% nausea and vomiting and 4% other side effects. Conclusion: The addition of midazolam to caudal bupivacaine significantly prolongs postoperative analgesia and reduces the need for rescue analgesia in children, with minimal side effects

A Rare Case of Complex Left Paraduodenal Hernia with Cocoon Abdomen

Paraduodenal hernias are rare congenital hernias that account for approximately 0.2-0.9% of all internal hernias. Among them, left paraduodenal hernias are even rarer, with an incidence of about 0.8%. Cocoon abdomen, also known as sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, is a rare condition characterized by the encapsulation of the small bowel by a thick fibrous membrane, leading to intestinal obstruction. We present a rare case of a 45-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of left upper abdominal pain, intermittent vomiting, and abdominal distension for two months. Imaging studies revealed a complex left paraduodenal hernia with cocoon abdomen, leading to subacute intestinal obstruction. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, reduction of small bowel contents from the hernial sac, excision of the hernial sac, extensive adhesiolysis, and closure of the hernial defect. Intraoperatively, the entire small bowel from the duodenojejunal flexure to the ileocecal junction was encased in a thick peritoneal sac, with dense interbowel adhesions and a thick hernial sac. The postoperative course was complicated by paralytic ileus, which was managed conservatively. The patient recovered well and was discharged on a low-residue diet and appropriate medications. This case highlights the rare coexistence of a left paraduodenal hernia and cocoon abdomen, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention to prevent potential life-threatening complications

Laparoscopic repair of a symptomatic right congenital morgagni hernia in an elderly patient: a rare case report

Morgagni hernia is a rare form of congenital diaphragmatic defect on the anterior part of the diaphragm with a prevalence of 2-3%. We report a case of a 70-year-old female who presented with burning chest pain, intermittent and colicky upper abdominal pain occasionally associated with nausea and vomiting, and constipation for 4 months. Imaging studies, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, were suggestive of a right-sided congenital Morgagni hernia. Late diagnosis of this condition in adults is extremely rare, and in the elderly, it is even rarer. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair with prosthetic mesh placement. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Minimally invasive surgical techniques provide definitive treatment for patients with uncomplicated Morgagni hernia cases, offering a shorter recovery time and a low complication rate.

Don't be thrown for a loop: a review of internal hernias for the abdominal imager.

Internal hernias are herniations of abdominal viscera, usually small bowel, through congenital or acquired openings of the peritoneum or mesentery. Congenital hernias may involve anatomic fossae such as the epiploic foramen as well as those related to abnormal peritoneal or mesenteric defects; these include left and right paraduodenal, transomental, transmesenteric, pericecal and broad ligament hernias. Acquired hernias are due to defects in the mesentery or peritoneum, usually resulting from prior surgeries, and include those associated with Roux-en-Y surgery as well as colorectal cancer resections. Internal hernias account for 5.8% of small obstructions. Obstructed internal hernias are considered surgical emergencies due to the high risk of bowel strangulation. This review summarizes the various types of congenital and acquired internal hernias, their relevant anatomy, embryology, associated surgical history and imaging appearance. We will also discuss a location-based approach to identifying internal hernias on CT, as well as complications and relevant signs, of which abdominal imagers should be vigilant.

Клинический случай врожденной назоорбитальной черепно-мозговой грыжи

Congenital craniocerebral hernias are malformations in which the brain and the meninges protrude through congenital defects of the skull. Treatment of this pathology is only surgical and should be carried out as early as possible to prevent changes in the facial skull and pathology of the optic nerve. The patients require constant observation by neurologist and ophthalmologist. The article presents a clinical case of left-sided congenital nasoorbital craniocerebral hernia. Due to the untimely surgery, there was a progressive decrease of visual acuity due to partial optic nerve atrophy and formation of complex hyperopic astigmatism. Key words: nasoorbital craniocerebral hernia; surgical treatment; partial optic nerve atrophy.

Approach to Acute Traumatic and Nontraumatic Diaphragmatic Abnormalities.

Acute diaphragmatic abnormalities encompass a broad variety of relatively uncommon and underdiagnosed pathologic conditions, which can be subdivided into nontraumatic and traumatic entities. Nontraumatic abnormalities range from congenital hernia to spontaneous rupture, endometriosis-related disease, infection, paralysis, eventration, and thoracoabdominal fistula. Traumatic abnormalities comprise both blunt and penetrating injuries. Given the role of the diaphragm as the primary inspiratory muscle and the boundary dividing the thoracic and abdominal cavities, compromise to its integrity can yield devastating consequences. Yet, diagnosis can prove challenging, as symptoms may be vague and findings subtle. Imaging plays an essential role in investigation. Radiography is commonly used in emergency evaluation of a patient with a suspected thoracoabdominal process and may reveal evidence of diaphragmatic compromise, such as abdominal contents herniated into the thoracic cavity. CT is often superior, in particular when evaluating a trauma patient, as it allows rapid and more detailed evaluation and localization of pathologic conditions. Additional modalities including US, MRI, and scintigraphy may be required, depending on the clinical context. Developing a strong understanding of the acute pathologic conditions affecting the diaphragm and their characteristic imaging findings aids in efficient and accurate diagnosis. Additionally, understanding the appearance of diaphragmatic anatomy at imaging helps in differentiating acute pathologic conditions from normal variations. Ultimately, this knowledge guides management, which depends on the underlying cause, location, and severity of the abnormality, as well as patient factors. ©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Congenital Lumbar Hernia Associated with Lumbocostovertebral Syndrome

Congenital Lumbar Hernia Associated with Lumbocostovertebral Syndrome

Paraesophageal hernia mimicking pneumatocele in an infant: A diagnostic dilemma

A defect in the oesophageal hiatus can result in the herniation of the stomach or other abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity, known as a hiatal hernia. These hernias are uncommon in infants and children, and their symptoms can be vague and non-specific, posing challenges for even experienced clinicians to make a diagnosis. Regardless of the case, surgical intervention is necessary due to the potentially life-threatening complications associated with this condition. We present a rare case of a 2-month-old infant with congenital paraesophageal hernia (PEH) who initially came to our hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia with pneumatocele. Based on clinical presentation and radiological examinations, the infant was correctly diagnosed with PEH and gastric volvulus. The patient underwent emergency surgical correction and was discharged in a stable condition. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the clinical presentation and maintain a high level of suspicion to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate management in these cases.

AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF ACUTE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

Up to 20% of admissions with severe acute abdomen are due to intestinal obstruction, a common surgical emergency. Paraduodenal hernia is a rare entity of congenital internal hernia which is an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. This case report describes the case of a 29-year-old woman with acute pain abdomen and vomiting without other significant past history. Radiological investigations revealed mechanical bowel obstruction and gangrenous bowel loops was evident on surgical exploration. Non-viable small bowel loop was resected and peritoneal defect was sutured. Left paraduodenal hernia is a rare cause of acute abdomen and high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and management.

Ultrasound diagnosis of congenital Morgagni hernias: Ten years of experience at two Chinese centers.

Morgagni hernias are rare anomalies that are easily misdiagnosed or missed. To summarize the ultrasound (US) imaging characteristics of Morgagni hernias through a comparison of imaging and surgical results. The records of children with Morgagni hernias who were hospitalized at two hospitals between January 2013 and November 2023 were retrospectively reviewed in terms of clinical findings, US features, and operative details. Between 2013 and 2023, we observed nine (five male and four female) children with Morgagni hernias. Upper abdominal scanning revealed a widening of the prehepatic space, with an abnormal channel extending from the xiphoid process to the right or left side of the thoracic cavity. The channel had intestinal duct and intestinal gas echoes. Hernia contents were found in the transverse colon (n = 6), the colon and small intestine (n = 2), and the colon and stomach (n = 1). Among the patients, seven had a right-sided lesion, two had a left-sided lesion, and all of them had hernial sacs. US imaging can accurately determine the location, extent, and content of Morgagni hernias. For suspected Morgagni hernias, we recommend performing sonographic screening first.

A prospective study to assess the feasibility of single port laparoscopic needle assisted repair of pediatric inguinal hernias

Background: Congenital inguinal hernias are very common paediatric surgical conditions with incidence of 0.8 – 4.4% in children and up to 30% in preterm babies, which occur due to the failure of closure of the processus vaginalis. While the gold standard treatment remains to be open herniotomy, in the last two decades minimally invasive surgeries have revolutionized the hernia surgery and have evolved from 3 port to single port, intracorporeal knotting to extracorporeal knotting and 5 mm camera port to 3 mm camera port with multiple benefits. Methodology: This is a prospective study conducted at a single tertiary care centre over 1 year. All the patients admitted under the Department of Paediatric Surgery, with a clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of inguinal hernia and planned for single port laparoscopic needle assisted repair were included in the study. Data was collected in terms of intra operative finding, duration of procedure, complications, pain and post operative hospital stay. Results: A total of 40 patients were included in the study with a male predominance. Clinically majority were right inguinal hernia which was reducible. Intraoperatively, 7 cases of bilateral hernia were identified which were not detected pre operatively. 2 patients who underwent this procedure had complications and majority of the patients had mild pain. Conclusion: Single port laparoscopic herniotomy is at par with gold standard open herniotomy in the paediatric population. This procedure has better cosmesis, lesser post operative pain, hospital stay and most importantly it could identify occult hernias.

Congenital Hernia of the Diaphragmatic Dome with Neonatal Revelation, Experience from the Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital Center of Oujda

Congenital Hernia of the Diaphragmatic Dome with Neonatal Revelation, Experience from the Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital Center of Oujda

Rare Diaphragmatic Hernias in Adults-Experience of a Tertiary Center in Esophageal Surgery and Narrative Review of the Literature.

A rare entity of non-hiatal type transdiaphragmatic hernias, which must be clearly differentiated from paraoesophageal hernias, are the phrenic defects that bear the generic name of congenital hernias-Bochdalek hernia and Larey-Morgagni hernia, respectively. The etiological substrate is relatively simple: the presence of preformed anatomical openings, which either do or do not enable transit from the thoracic region to the abdominal region or, most often, vice versa, from the abdomen to the thorax, of various visceral elements (spleen, liver, stomach, colon, pancreas, etc.). Apart from the congenital origin, a somewhat rarer group is described, representing about 1-7% of the total: an acquired variant of the traumatic type, frequently through a contusive type mechanism, which produces diaphragmatic strains/ruptures. Apparently, the symptomatology is heterogeneous, being dependent on the location of the hernia, the dimensions of the defect, which abdominal viscera is involved through the hernial opening, its degree of migration, and whether there are volvulation/ischemia/obstruction phenomena. Often, its clinical appearance is modest, mainly incidental discoveries, the majority being digestive manifestations. Severe digestive complications such as strangulation, volvus, and perforation are rare and are accompanied by severe shock, suddenly appearing after several non-specific digestive prodromes. Diagnosis combines imaging evaluations (plain radiology, contrast, CT) with endoscopic ones. Surgical treatment is recommended regardless of the side on which the diaphragmatic defect is located or the secondary symptoms due to potential complications. The approach options are thoracic, abdominal or combined thoracoabdominal approach, and classic or minimally invasive. Most often, selection of the type of approach should be made taking into account two elements: the size of the defect, assessed by CT, and the presence of major complications. Any hiatal defect that is larger than 5 cm2 (the hiatal hernia surface (HSA)) has a formal recommendation of mesh reinforcement. The recurrence rate is not negligible, and statistical data show that the period of the first postoperative year is prime for recurrence, being directly proportional to the size of the defect. As a result, in patients who were required to use mesh, the recurrence rate is somewhere between 27 and 41% (!), while for cases with primary suture, i.e., with a modest diaphragmatic defect, this is approx. 4%.

A successful thoracoscopic treatment of bilateral congenital false diaphragmal hernia in a newborn

Introduction. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs with frequency of 1:2000 to 1:4000 live births. False CDH are more common. Out of unilateral diaphragm defects, left-sided ones predominate (9–24 times more often depending on hernia type). Bilateral diaphragmatic hernia is an extremely rare malformation which accounts for no more than 1% of all diaphragmatic hernias.
 Description of observation. The authors present their own experience in treating a rare clinical case of bilateral false diaphragmatic hernia in a newborn with the left-sided component manifested immediately after the birth and with the right-sided one – in 2 weeks after the correction of the first one, as well as its successful thoracoscopic treatment.
 Conclusion. The authors consider that one of the possible reasons for not detecting this pathology at ultrasound examination is translocation of the abdominal organs to the chest (which can occur antenatally, intra- and postnatally).

Lessons learnt in the management of paraduodenal hernias: a case series.

Paraduodenal hernias (PDH) are rare congenital internal hernias with non- specific symptoms. Left-sided paraduodenal hernia is three times more common than right-sided paraduodenal hernia with similar clinical presentation but different embryological origins. We report a series of eight cases of paraduodenal hernia who presented with varied clinical presentation ranging from vague abdominal pain to complete intestinal obstruction. Six cases had left-sided paraduodenal hernia, while two cases had right-sided paraduodenal hernia. Seven cases based on their presentation underwent surgery either electively or on emergent basis. Three cases underwent laparoscopic repair. One case had a recurrence and was re-operated four months later. There was no mortality among any of the cases. A pre-operative diagnosis of paraduodenal hernia is essential. Laparoscopic surgery is safe in select cases and is found to be beneficial.

Challenging Stereotypes: Cases of Breast Cancer in Men

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, internationally, and the leading cause of death from cancer. However, breast cancer in men is an uncommon pathology, corresponding to less than 1% of neoplasms in men. The lifetime risk of breast cancer in a man is approximately 1:1000, compared to 1:8 for a woman. Currently, an increase in timely diagnosis has been demonstrated thanks to the programs that are carried out for the early detection of breast cancer worldwide. Although, unfortunately, early diagnosis is still difficult due to the lack of information that a large part of the population has regarding self-examination, not only in our country, but also around the world, and in the case of breast cancer in men, being such an uncommon condition, its diagnosis is more difficult. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in the developing world, due to longer life expectancy, increased urbanization and the adoption of Western lifestyles. Among the risk factors that have been seen to increase the risk of breast cancer in men, with scientifically proven evidence, are mainly hormonal disorders, family history and mutations of certain genes that predispose to the disease. The hormonal disorders mentioned above refer to an increase in circulating estrogen levels and a deficiency in the synthesis or action of testosterone. These alterations can be caused by disorders at the level of testicular testosterone synthesis, such as: orchitis, orchiectomy, undescended testicle, congenital inguinal hernia and others. Patients who voluntarily consume exogenous estrogens as part of the treatment of prostate cancer or transsexuals should also be taken into account. Another risk factor that has been found to be implicated in the presentation of this type of neoplasia are medications; many frequently used medications are testosterone antagonists. Alcohol is also implicated, since it decreases testosterone synthesis and the number of testicular receptors for gonadotropin. A higher prevalence has also been seen in patients with obesity, in whom there is a double risk, because as they have a higher peripheral aromatization of androgens, they synthesize a greater amount of circulating estrogens. Approximately 20% of men with breast cancer have a first-line family history, which indicates a two to three times higher risk of developing the disease at some point in their lives and that this risk doubles exponentially with the number of affected family members. Currently there are many programs and organizations that promote the fight against breast cancer, such as the World Health Organization, where there are comprehensive national cancer control programs that are integrated with non-communicable diseases and other related problems. Comprehensive cancer control encompasses prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Raising awareness of the general public about the problem of breast cancer and control mechanisms, as well as promoting appropriate policies and programs, are key strategies for population-based breast cancer control. Based on what has been mentioned above, the work will be carried out in order to have a better approach to breast cancer in men, due to the little information we have about it, as well as to raise awareness among the general population about the risk factors, prognostic factors, timely diagnosis and treatment of patients with this type of pathology.

Maternal diaphragmatic hernia in pregnancy: A systematic review with a treatment algorithm.

Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is extremely rarely described during pregnancy. Due to the rarity, there is no diagnostic or treatment algorithm for DH in pregnancy. To summarize and define the most appropriate diagnostic methods and therapeutic options for DH in pregnancy based on scarce literature. Literature search of English-, German-, Spanish-, and Italian-language articles were performed using PubMed (1946-2021), PubMed Central (1900-2021), and Google Scholar. The PRISMA protocol was followed. The search terms included: Maternal diaphragmatic hernia, congenital hernia, pregnancy, cardiovascular collapse, mediastinal shift, abdominal pain in pregnancy, hyperemesis, diaphragmatic rupture during labor, puerperium, hernie diaphragmatique maternelle, hernia diafragmática congenital. Additional studies were identified by reviewing reference lists of retrieved studies. Demographic, imaging, surgical, and obstetric data were obtained. One hundred and fifty-eight cases were collected. The average maternal age increased across observed periods. The proportion of congenital hernias increased, while the other types appeared stationary. Most DHs were left-sided (83.8%). The median number of herniated organs declined across observed periods. A working diagnosis was correct in 50%. DH type did not correlate to maternal or neonatal outcomes. Laparoscopic access increased while thoracotomy varied across periods. Presentation of less than 3 days carried a significant risk of strangulation in pregnancy. The clinical presentation of DH is easily confused with common chest conditions, delaying the diagnosis, and increasing maternal and fetal mortality. Symptomatic DH should be included in the differential diagnosis of pregnant women with abdominal pain associated with dyspnea and chest pain, especially when followed by collapse. Early diagnosis and immediate intervention lead to excellent maternal and fetal outcomes. A proposed algorithm helps manage pregnant women with maternal DH. Strangulated DH requires an emergent operation, while delivery should be based on obstetric indications.