A right sliding indirect inguinal hernia containing paraovarian cyst, fallopian tube, and ovary: a case report

Albeit very uncommon, the hernia sac may contain unusual structures such as vermiform appendix, acute appendicitis, ovary, fallopian tube and, urinary bladder. Most of the cases of hernia containing ovary and fallopian tubes were reported to be found in children and, often accompanied with other congenital anomalies of genital tract. We present the first case of sliding inguinal hernia containing right ovary and fallopian tube and a right paraovarian cyst in 80-year-old, multiparous patient without any associated genital anomaly. The hernia was repaired with plication darn, while the paraovarian cyst was excised and adnexa were preserved. It is of utmost importance to keep in mind that the hernia sac may contain almost any abdominal organ, and surgical dissection should be carried out accordingly. Pathophysiologically, the ovary might be simply pulled along with a sliding paraovarian cyst or the paraovarian cyst might be accompanying the maldescended ovary. There seems to be a need for clinical and experimental studies to further explain the mechanisms that apply to the pathogenesis of sliding inguinal hernias.