Bilateral Female Inguinal Hernia Repair in Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND: Bilateral inguinal hernias are relatively rare in females compared to men. The management outcome of bilateral nylon darn, a method predominantly used in sub-Saharan Africa for same time repairs in complicated or elective hernia surgeries is largely unknown. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to report a rare case of same time bilateral inguinal hernia obstruction and review the outcome of bilateral nylon darn posterior wall repairs after herniotomy. DESIGN OF THE STUDY: This was a retrospective analysis of bilaterally operated inguinal hernia female patients data that was retrieved for the past 6-year period. Settings: All complete records of female patients who had same time bilateral inguinal hernia repairs at the Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital (district hospital), for the period January 2015 to December 2020 were included in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient biodata, clinical notes on diagnosis, surgical management, postoperative care, and complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients aged between 40 and 87 years which represented 1.85% of the total hernia repairs were female with same time bilateral inguinal hernia repairs. Seven (50%) patients presented at the emergency with hernias detected over a year. Surgical site infection and pains after surgery were the predominant complications and occurred more common after emergency repairs. CONCLUSION: Emergency bilateral inguinal hernia repairs were three times associated with surgical site infection compared to elective repairs.