Introduction

Inflammatory swellings of the groin are common, and the changes are often attributed to infection. Although this is possible, inflammatory swellings are often secondary to groin hernia. We present an unusual case of groin swelling, outlining its investigations and subsequent management.

Case report

An otherwise healthy 40-year-old male presented with a one-week history of pain and swelling in his right groin. There was no history of trauma or previous hernia, and his bowel habit was normal. On examination he had a right inguinal swelling (6 × 3 cm) lateral to the pubic tubercle. There was no evidence of a cough impulse.

An ultrasound of the region was performed (Figure 1), which showed evidence of cellulitis and a fluid collection. The fluid was aspirated; it was blood stained with no evidence of pus. Routine blood tests were normal.

Figure 1
figure 1

USS right groin showing fluid collection.

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Given the clinical findings, he was taken to the operating theatre for exploration. A standard oblique groin incision was used, and an incarcerated femoral hernia was identified. The back of the inguinal canal and the neck of the sac were opened. Inside the sac, a long, mildly inflamed appendix was found (Figure 2). An appendicectomy was performed and the excess sac excised and transfixed. Given that there was minimal inflammation of the appendix and there was no obvious evidence of infection outside the sac, the back wall of the inguinal canal was repaired using the Lichtenstein tension-free mesh method, using 15 × 7 cm Vypro Mesh and 2-0 prolene. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

Figure 2
figure 2

Intra operative picture showing appendix in femoral hernia sac.

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Discussion

The main pathologic conditions manifesting as masses in the groin fall into five major groups: congenital abnormalities, non-congenital hernias, vascular conditions, infectious or inflammatory processes, and neoplasms [1, 2]. The hernial sac may contain preperitoneal fat, omentum, colon, or small bowel but reports of femoral hernia containing the vermiform appendix are rare, reported to occur in 0.8% of femoral hernia [3]. Rence Jacques Croissant de Garengeot, an 18th century Paris Surgeon, was the first to describe appendix in femoral hernia [4]. Appendix in left femoral hernia [5], carcinoid tumour of appendix [6] and stomach [7] as femoral hernia contents have also been reported in the past. Factors contributing to this condition include degrees of intestinal malrotation or the presence of an abnormally large caecum which extends into the pelvis [3].

It is very difficult to diagnose the presence of an appendix within a femoral hernial sac, and to date, only one case has been diagnosed prior to surgery. This was identified at CT scan [8].

Tight femoral ring leads to strangulation and appendicitis. Appendicitis in a femoral hernia does not usually lead to abdominal peritonitis, due to narrow hernia sac neck which prevents inflammation of the parietal peritoneum. Clinical signs include local groin swelling, inflammation and spreading cellulitis, but often the patient feels generally well with no systemic features of sepsis, as in this case [3].

If left untreated, the inflammation may resolve or lead to complications including abscess [9], necrotizing fasciitis [10], necrosis of hernial contents [11] and development of bowel obstruction [12] and even death.

Due to the rarity of such cases treatment options remain diverse. Each case should be judged separately, and treatment based on the principles of removing the source of sepsis (either operatively or by aspiration) should be employed [13, 14].

Conclusion

We present a case of acute appendicitis complicating an incarcerated femoral hernia. As is often the case, the diagnosis was made at surgery. By following the principles of removing the source of sepsis and repairing the hernial defect, the patient made a safe recovery from a potentially serious condition.

We present this case because of appendix in femoral hernia that too in a young male patient is very rare. Early surgical treatment prevents potential complications.

Consent

A written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor in Chief of this journal.