[Ischemic damage of the testis as a complication of incarcerated hernia in the infant].

The possibility of atrophy of testicular tissue after torsion of testis is well known. To a lesser extent it is known that an incarcerated inguinal hernia carries the risk of ischemia of the testis by pressure on the testicular vessels. Incarceration of an inguinal hernia is most common in premature and young babies. When it occurs a reposition should be tried, but, if unsuccessful an urgent operation is indicated. Between 1979 and 1983 we operated on 36 boys under the age of one with an unreducible inguinal hernia. As sign of partial or total tissue destruction the follow-ups showed a smaller testis on the operated side in five cases and a total atrophy in four cases. Early operation of inguinal hernias in babies seems to be the best prophylaxis of this above mentioned complication of an otherwise rather harmless anomaly.