Revisiting Amyand's hernia in the laparoscopic era

Controversies Regarding Mesh Utilisation and the Attitude towards the Appendix in Amyand's Hernia-A Systematic Review

Inguinal hernia containing the vermiform appendix is a rare entity. It is more common in children than in adults. It can be discovered incidentally during the surgical intervention performed for the cure of the inguinal hernia or when the appendix shows inflammatory changes, a situation that can lead to diagnostic confusion with a number of other diseases. Imaging can guide the diagnosis, which often comes as an intraoperative surprise. The therapeutic approach is controversial both in terms of whether or not to perform an appendectomy in the case of an appendix without inflammatory changes and especially in terms of using a mesh during the hernia repair process. Since the pathology is not very frequent, there are no standardized stages in terms of surgical ethics that can guarantee good surgical practice. The study aimed to carry out a review of the specialized literature to obtain some conclusions or trends regarding the management of this pathology. The low frequency of this type of hernia did not allow the consultation of large-scale studies or extensive reviews focusing on case reports or case series communications. The obtained results were statistically analyzed and integrated in relation to the surgical attitude depending on the particularities of the condition.

Amyand's Hernia with Appendicitis: A Case Report and Integrative Review

Introduction. Inguinal hernia is a common disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1.2% of the entire population and it is 12 times more common in males. Objective. To describe a case of appendix with signs of inflammation in the hernia sac, condition that is rare and difficult to diagnose, and to perform literature review, describing the most relevant aspects and the main controversies. Method. Report of a case and search in PubMed on June 1, 2015, using the terms “Appendix” [MeSH term] AND “hernia, inguinal” [MeSH term]. Results. The search resulted in 38 articles in total, and after deleting the articles that were not part of the inclusion criteria, there were 26 case reports remaining. Discussion. The search resulted in a total of 38 articles and after deleting the articles that were not part of the inclusion criteria, there were 26 case reports remaining. Conclusion. Amyand's hernia is a rare and difficult to diagnose condition, being commonly found occasionally in surgical procedures. It should be remembered in the presence of cases of incarcerated hernia, due to its possible complications if not diagnosed.

Incarcerated amyand hernia

Amyand's hernia is a rare condition defined by the inclusion of the appendix vermiformis within the hernia sac. Its incidence among cases of groin hernia is less than 1%. The clinical manifestation of incarcerated inguinal hernia generally masks the symptoms and signs of acute appendicitis, which renders preoperative diagnosis difficult. In this study, we present two cases of Amyand's hernia that were diagnosed preoperatively. The patients were taken for operation with the prediagnosis of ıncarcerated inguinal hernia. We evaluated these cases along with data from prior studies.

Amyand's hernia: a review

BACKGROUND

The presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac is known as Amyand's hernia. The aim of this systematic review was to gather information concerning its prevalence, clinical image, diagnosis, and treatment.

DATA SOURCES

The MEDLINE database was thoroughly searched using the keyword "Amyand's hernia." Additional articles were gathered and evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

The true prevalence of Amyand's hernia seems lower than classically described. Its usual clinical image is identical to that of an incarcerated hernia, and thus it is almost impossible to diagnose preoperatively, although ultrasound and computed tomography can help. Treatment includes hernioplasty with or without appendectomy and/or mesh repair depending on the vermiform appendix's inflammation status, the patient's general condition, and other factors. Amyand's hernia generally has a good prognosis, although serious complications have been described. Surgeons should be prepared if they encounter Amyand's hernia because appropriate treatment ensures hernia repair without complications and with avoidance of recurrence.

Amyand's hernia: 10 years' experience

BACKGROUND

Amyand's hernia is an atypical groin hernia which contains the vermiform appendix. The aim of this study was to review a single institution's experience in the clinical presentation, management and prognostic factors of this rare hernia.

METHODS

The authors reviewed records of all patients undergoing hernia surgery from 1996 to 2006 at their institution, a tertiary care, University-affiliated hospital.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (six men) with a median age of 88 years (range 60-97) were included. Six presented with right inguinal hernias and six presented with right femoral hernias. All required emergency surgery: eight for strangulated hernias, two for hernias with lower quadrant peritonism and two for incarcerated hernia. Despite small differences in outcome and length of hospitalisation between Amyand types, appendix inflammation, pre-operative blood examinations and hernia localisation, only right lower quadrant peritonism as a presenting sign (p=0.004) and age greater than 90 years old (p=0.04) were significantly associated with a poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

Amyand's hernia is a rare hernia which is seldom diagnosed before operation. It must be considered in the evaluation of a strangulated or incarcerated hernia. Further studies are required to define the optimal surgical strategy, prognostic factors and risks of hernia recurrence.

Amyand's hernia: a case report describing laparoscopic repair in a pediatric patient

Amyand's hernia is a rare hernia in which an incarcerated or perforated appendix is found in the right inguinal canal. This case report looks at the clinical presentation, the modalities for preoperative evaluation, and finally a combined approach of laparoscopic appendectomy and open repair of the hernia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this type of management, and we feel that it is a safe and effective option.

Amyand Hernia: What Lies Beneath–A Proposed Classification Scheme to Determine Management

Acute appendicitis in a hernia sac occurs exceptionally. An 80-year-old male patient underwent emergency surgery for an incarcerated right inguinal hernia found to contain a gangrenous appendix. His brief improvement after an emergency herniotomy with appendectomy was followed by intestinal obstruction caused by advanced colon cancer. The unique features and individualized management of the four published types of Amyand hernia are reviewed. Rather than simply being an anatomical curiosity, Amyand hernias require individualized attention to decide how to manage both the appendix and the hernia. Clinical scrutiny, a high index of suspicion for surgical comorbidities, and a common sense approach may improve outcomes.

Review article: appendicitis in groin hernias

To review the clinical presentation, outcome and causes of acute appendicitis presenting within a groin hernia. A comprehensive review of the past 70 years of English language surgical literature was conducted pertaining to acute appendicitis presenting within an inguinal or femoral hernia. Thirty-four reports describing 45 patients were reviewed to determine age, position, gender, pathologic stage at presentation, causal suppositions, and clinical outcomes. Hernial appendicitis presented as an inguinal abscess or a tender inguinal mass, often in the femoral position, and most commonly at the extremes of age. It was almost never recognized preoperatively, and, because of the sequestered nature of the inflammatory process, presented with few classic systemic signs or symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. Advanced pathologic stage and death correlated with the patient's age, delay in presentation, and delay in recognition. Evaluation of an inguinal abscess or a nonreducible tender groin hernia presenting in a patient at the extremes of age, should include computed tomography to rule out an occult acute appendicitis within the hernia, as systemic signs and symptoms of appendicitis are rarely evident. The condition appears to be caused by inflammatory adhesions caused by appendicitis occurring within an enlarged hernial orifice rather than appendicitis caused by external compression of the appendix base. Early recognition of this unique presentation of appendicitis allows trans-hernial appendectomy and immediate herniorraphy. Delayed diagnosis requires drainage of abscess with appendectomy and interval hernia repair.

Amyand's hernia: a report of 18 consecutive patients over a 15-year period

AIM

The presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac is termed Amyand's hernia. It may present as a tender inguinal or inguino-scrotal swelling and is often misdiagnosed as an incarcerated or strangulated hernia. The purpose of this study was to review the management of Amyand's hernia at a single institution since 1991.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 18 consecutive patients with an Amyand's hernia operated upon at our institution from 1991 to 2005. Patients' demographics, treatment and postoperative outcome were analysed.

RESULTS

There were 17 men and one woman. Their median age was 42 years. None of the patients was diagnosed preoperatively. The commonest presenting symptom was painful inguinal or inguino-scrotal swelling (83%). All patients, therefore, underwent emergency surgery with a presumptive diagnosis of either incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia. Operative findings included 11 normal appendices, four inflamed appendices and three perforated appendices in the inguinal hernial sac. Patients with a normal appendix (n = 11) had a mesh hernia repair without an appendicectomy. The rest of the patients (n = 7) with an abnormal appendix underwent emergency open appendicectomy followed by Bassini's sutured hernia repair. One patient died in the postoperative period of pneumonia. Only one recurrent hernia has been detected, with a median follow-up time of 6.4 years.

CONCLUSION

The inflammatory status of the appendix determines the type of hernia repair and the surgical approach. Incidental appendicectomy in the case of a normal appendix is not favoured.

Endoscopic total extraperitoneal management of Amyand's hernia

Presence of an appendix in a hernial sac (Amyand's hernia) is a rare entity, still rarer is an inflamed appendix within the hernial sac. An endoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of a right-sided incarcerated inguinal hernia is described. The inguinal hernial sac contained an inflamed appendix. An associated small incisional hernia at the lower end of a midline suprapubic scar for a Millin's prostatectomy was simultaneously repaired.