Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 2, 357-359,
February 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Concomitant closure of patent canal of Nuck during laparoscopic surgery: Case report
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-kou Medical Center, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan
Indirect inguinal hernia is neglected by many female patients. When women undergo laparoscopy for infertility work-up or other gynaecological conditions, the hernia appears pressurized by the pneumoperitoneum. A large opening on the peritoneum followed by the patent canal of Nuck—as seen in the patient in this case report—is accompanied by a bulge above the labia major. This situation was treated with simple ligation of the canal of Nuck from the internal inguinal ring, and the vulvar bulging mass quickly disappeared, even while under pneumoperitoneal pressure. Laparoscopic hernia repair is currently performed with a mesh prosthesis to cover the defect; however, in female patients it seems unnecessary to use such an invasive method designed largely for males. According to our experience, the concomitant simple closure method for female indirect inguinal hernia is a quick and simple procedure, and deals with the problem during the same laparoscopy. In addition, disappearance of the bulging mass under the pneumoperitoneum offers a useful diagnostic test to secure hernia management.
Key words: canal of Nuck/inguinal hernia/laparoscopic surgery
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Endoscopy, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, # 5, Fu-Hsing Street. Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan. E-mail: chyilong{at}ms21.hinet.net