Very Low Birth Weight Is an Independent Risk Factor for Emergency Surgery in Premature Infants with Inguinal Hernia

More than half of premature infants with an inguinal hernia have incarceration. Those with very low birth weight have a 3-fold greater risk of requiring an emergency procedure than heavier premature infants. Emergency repair results in higher recurrence rates and more complications. Elective hernia repair is recommended, particularly in very low birth weight premature infants.