Uncommon content in groin hernia sac

Groin hernia may have very unusual sac content. Vermiform appendix, acute appendicitis, ovary, fallopian tube and urinary bladder have been rarely reported. We aimed to present our experience with these unusual hernia contents. Records of 1,950 groin hernia patients were retrospectively analyzed. Vermiform appendix was found in 0.51% and acute appendicitis was found in 0.10% of groin hernia sacs. The incidence of appendix in femoral hernia was 5%, while inguinal hernia sac contained ovary and fallopian tube in 2.9% of the cases. The incidence of groin hernias containing urinary bladder was 0.36%. We also had 1 patient with incarcerated bladder diverticula in an indirect hernia sac. Iatrogenic bladder injury occurred in 2 patients. Although rare, a groin hernia sac may contain vermiform appendix and exceptionally acute appendicitis. Tubal and ovarian herniation in inguinal hernias can be found in adult and perimenopausal women with an incidence as high as in children. Urinary bladder hernia occurs with a similar incidence of tuba-ovarian hernia, however, it requires special attention because of a high risk of iatrogenic bladder injury during the inguinal dissection. Every effort should be made to preserve the organ found in hernia sac for an uneventful postoperative period. © Springer-Verlag 2006.