Incarcerated inguinal hernia in premature babies--a report of two cases.
We highlight the morbidity of incarcerated inguinal hernia in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants by presenting a report of two cases. Our aim is to raise the question of the optimal timing of surgery when this common problem presents on the neonatal unit. In each of our cases the hernia was diagnosed but surgery was delayed, as per normal policy on the unit, pending growth of the baby and improvement in respiratory status. Both babies suffered significant morbidity when the hernias subsequently became acutely incarcerated.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, we question whether the widespread practice of delayed surgery for inguinal hernia in VLBW infants should be reconsidered.
Coren
M E
ME
Department of Neonatology, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK. m.coren@ic.ac.uk
Madden
N P
NP
Haddad
M
M
Lissauer
T J
TJ
D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male