Treatment of de Garengeot's hernia: a meta-analysis

de Garengeot's hernia is a rare entity in which the appendix is located within a femoral hernia and is almost invariably encountered incarcerated in an emergency setting with concomitant appendicitis. In the literature, there are mostly single-case reports. The purpose of the present study was to perform a review of the literature to study the incidence, pathogenesis, demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, differential diagnosis, delay in diagnosis and treatment, operative findings, surgical technique, histological findings, the postoperative course, use of antibiotics, and complications regarding de Garengeot's hernia.

A literature search was performed through PubMed with the following search terms, single or in combination: Garengeot, femoral hernia, and appendicitis. Additional references were also found within the articles, and two patients from Uppsala University Hospital were added.

Between 1981 and 2016, 70 publications were identified, and with the additional two patients, the present series comprised 90 patients There were 75 women (median age 73.0 years) and 15 men (median age 78.0 years). On examination, an inguinal mass was found in 87 patients (97%), which was painful and the cause of primary complaint in 67 patients (74%): the median duration of symptoms was 3 days. Radiological investigations or ultrasound were performed in 67 patients (74%); computed tomography was the most accurate with a positive diagnosis in 23/34 patients. Appendicitis was found in 76 patients, gangrenous in 23, and perforated in 9. The surgical approach was inguinal in 76 patients, including 15 with concomitant laparotomy. The preperitoneal route was chosen in six patients, and laparoscopy alone in four patients. A mesh/plug was used in 22 patients (7/22 normal appendix) and suture repair in 59 (4/59 normal appendix: p < 0.01). Complications were analysed in 79 patients and occurred in 11%. There was no mortality.

de Garengeot's hernia is rare, being indistinguishable from an incarcerated femoral hernia in general. A delay in surgery should be avoided but if needed, computed tomography may be used for differential diagnosis. Although there is no standard treatment, mesh material does not appear advisable in the presence of a perforation, and it is beneficial for the surgeons to perform their routine method rather than a specific technique.