De Garengeot hernia: an analysis of our experience

The presence of a vermiform appendix in a femoral hernia sac is termed De Garengeot hernia. It may present as a tender and/or erythematous groin swelling and is often misdiagnosed as an incarcerated or strangulated femoral hernia. The purpose of this study is to review the management of De Garengeot hernia at a single institution since 1991.

A retrospective analysis of seven consecutive patients operated upon at our institution from 1991 to 2006 with De Garengeot hernia was undertaken. Patients' demographics, treatment performed and postoperative outcome were analysed.

There were three men and four women. The median age was 55 years. None of the patients were diagnosed preoperatively. The commonest presenting symptom was painful groin swelling. All patients therefore underwent emergency surgery with a presumptive diagnosis of either incarcerated or strangulated femoral hernia. Operative findings included four normal appendices, two inflamed appendices and one perforated appendix in the femoral hernial sac. Patients with normal appendix (n = 4) had mesh hernia repair without an appendicectomy. The rest of the patients (n = 3) with abnormal appendix underwent emergency open appendicectomy followed by sutured hernia repair. We had no deaths in this series and one minor wound infection. No recurrent hernia has been detected to date.

Inflammation of the appendix determines the type of hernia repair and surgical approach. Incidental appendicectomy in the case of a normal appendix is not preferred.