Incarcerated femoral hernia containing an ovary

Laparoscopic repair of irreducible femoral hernia containing the fallopian tube alone: a case report

BACKGROUND

We offer the first report of laparoscopic repair of an irreducible femoral hernia containing the fallopian tube alone.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 84-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of a right groin mass with no abdominal symptoms. The mass was located below the inguinal ligament but showed no redness or tenderness. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a 4 × 3-cm cystic mass and enhanced cord-like structure in the right groin area. Hernia contents were considered potentially associated with the appendix, and right femoral hernia incarceration was diagnosed. We performed emergency surgery using a laparoscopic approach, revealing an irreducible femoral hernia containing the right fallopian tube, which was reduced laparoscopically. The reduced fallopian tube showed no ischemic changes, obviating the need for resection. No other abdominal organs such as the ovary, fimbriae of the fallopian tube, or appendix were incarcerated. We repaired the femoral hernia laparoscopically using a transabdominal preperitoneal approach with a mesh.

CONCLUSIONS

A laparoscopic approach offers ready and accurate confirmation of incarcerated or irreducible organs, rapid recovery, and favorable cosmesis and should therefore be considered for the treatment of incarcerated or irreducible femoral hernia.

Incarcerated femoral hernia containing ovary and fallopian tube in a 54-year-old

While accounting for a small proportion of groin hernias, femoral hernias have the greatest propensity to incarcerate and strangulate leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The authors present a case of a 54-year-old multiparous female presenting with a new firm painful left-sided groin lump for 1 day. Incarcerated femoral hernia was diagnosed clinically and open surgical repair was undertaken. At surgery a viable ovary and fallopian tube were found in the hernial sac and returned to the pelvis. This case emphasises the importance of awareness of the variety of pathologies that may be encountered in emergency hernia surgery and highlights the value of preoperative radiology in such cases.