Patterns of surgical causes of inguinoscrotal lesions in neonates in Sohag, Upper Egypt: a single-center experience

Abstract

Background/purpose: Inguinoscrotal lesions (ISLs) are not uncommon during the first month of life. Most of the lesions are congenital. Although physical examination can detect most of the lesions, differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult. Our objective was to evaluate different patterns and spectrums of surgical causes of ISLs seen in the neonatal period.

Patients and methods: This prospective observational study included neonates with surgical causes of ISL presented during the period from June 2015 to September 2016. Neonates with nonsurgical causes of ISL were excluded. All cases were subjected to management strategies that consist of physical examinations, imaging studies accordingly, and surgical repair, when needed. The approval of the ethics committee was obtained. Demographic data, presence of associated anomalies, operative data, and outcome of surgical intervention during neonatal period all were reported and analyzed.

Results: There were 63 neonates with surgical causes of ISL. The spectrum of findings was as follows: 28 (44.4%) patients with hernia including complicated hernias, 18 (28.6%) patients with hydrocele, 12 (19%) patients with empty scrotum (unilateral or bilateral), three (4.8%) patients with scrotal anomalies, one patient with torsion, and one patient with hematoma.

Conclusion: ISL in neonates carries a wide range of varieties. Although congenital inguinal hernia is the commonest, other causes should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis.

Keywords: hydrocele, inguinoscrotal lesions, neonatal congenital inguinal hernia