Appendicitis in incarcerated femoral hernia

• Published in: Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery 2004-08, Vol.8 (3), p.281-282
• Main Authors: Barbaros, U, Asoglu, O, Seven, R, Kalayci, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain - diagnosis; Abdominal Pain - etiology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Appendectomy - methods; Appendicitis; Appendicitis - complications; Appendicitis - diagnostic imaging; Appendicitis - surgery; Female; Femur; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatrics; Hernia; Hernia, Femoral - complications; Hernia, Femoral - diagnosis; Hernia, Femoral - surgery; Hernias; Humans; Intestine; Intraoperative Complications - diagnosis; Intraoperative Complications - surgery; Laparotomy - methods; Nausea; Pain; Preoperative Care; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Vomiting
• ISSN: 1265-4906; 1248-9204
• DOI: 10.1007/s10029-004-0209-6

Femoral hernia can rarely present with the content of appendicitis. We report on an elderly female who was admitted to our emergency department with a painful groin mass. An 85-year-old woman presented with a 7-day history of right groin pain and swelling. She also had complaints of nausea, vomiting, and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a right groin mass in the femoral region, which was painful on examination. Abdominal examination ended with normal findings except bilateral lower quadrant tenderness. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a hernia sac containing suspected aperistaltic bowel segment with edematous wall. The patient underwent surgery. During exploration of the right groin region, a strangulated femoral hernia sac containing appendicitis was detected. Surgeons should be aware of the existence of this kind of atypical presentation of appendicitis.