Simultaneous appendectomy and inguinal herniorrhaphy could be beneficial

Two patients seen in Murtala Muhammed Hospital in Kano, Nigeria in 1989, who developed acute appendicitis after inguinal hernia repair during which the appendices were present in the hernia sacs but not removed, are described. Eleven patients who had an appendectomy during inguinal hernia repair are also described. None had a wound infection or recurrence of their hernia. Because of the possibility that postoperative adhesions in the vicinity of the appendix might subsequently provoke inflammation, it is suggested that an adequately exposed appendix in an inguinal hernia sac be routinely removed.