Undiagnosed ureteroinguinal hernia with solitary kidney in a child with ureteric injury during herniotomy

Iatrogenic ureteric injuries are an uncommon but difficult problem to manage. Although ureteric injury has been reported during hernia surgery in adults, it has not been reported in children during herniotomy. An 18-month-old male child underwent repair of an inguinal hernia and developed postoperative anuria. Investigations revealed that the patient had a solitary kidney and had injury to the solitary ureter. We successfully managed this patient using the vermiform appendix to replace a segment of the injured ureter. The possible mechanism of injury and the relevant literature are discussed.