Large inguinoscrotal hernia containing ureter: reminder to General Surgeons

Inguinal hernia is a common general surgery presentation. Large inguinoscrotal hernias can contain large bowel, omentum, small bowel, Meckel’s diverticulum but rarely ureter and bladder. Ultrasound can further clarify contents of inguinal hernia, and for this patient, it showed a cystic structure in the hernia contents. This was further investigated and found to be the left ureter with moderate to severe hydronephrosis. The patient underwent left inguinal hernia repair without any complication because of the anticipated anatomical anomaly. This case is to raise awareness that a simple inguinoscrotal hernia repair could be complicated by ureteric injury if not investigated thoroughly in the preoperative stage.