Abstract
We report a case of pediatric nonincarcerated femoral hernia in which laparoscopic gauze packing of the hernial sac was useful for identifying the hernial sac through a preperitoneal approach. The patient was a 10-year-old girl. A swelling of the size of about 3 cm was observed in the right inguinal region, slightly toward the leg, when the patient was in a standing position ; however the hernia was easily reduced. We were concerned that it might be difficult to observe the hernial sac during the operation ; therefore, before the surgery, we located the hernial orifice under laparoscopic guidance and packed the hernial sac with gauze to recreate the prolapsed condition. This approach made it possible for us to clearly identify the site of herniation from the surface of the body and to accurately detach the peritoneal and hernial sacs which in turn allowed us to perform the operation safely and effectively.
