Amyand hernia; a case report on serendiptous intra-operative diagnosis

Amyand hernia is an accidental finding that occurs in 0.19-1.7% of patients with inguinal hernia, with children being more commonly affected than adults. However, the management depends on the guidelines given by Losanoff and Basson.

A 62-year-old male presented with complaints of progressive swelling in the right inguinal region without any clinical spectrum of bowel obstruction or strangulation. Examination revealed a right-sided indirect inguinal hernia with positive Ziemann technique. Open hernioplasty revealed an appendix within a hernia sac and was found to be adhered to the surrounding structure with a fibrotic band. According to the Losanoff and Basson protocol, the patient had an appendectomy and an open mesh repair with polypropylene mesh without any post-operative complications.

Amyand hernia are often predominantly present in children, with a rare presence in the elderly. Pre-operative clinical diagnosis remains a challenge, and the management depends upon the Losanoff and Basson protocol. Appendectomy of the normal appendix within the hernia sac is often recommended to prevent the sequelae (appendicitis, rupture) following manipulation during hernioplasty.

Amyand's hernia is a rare clinical entity and difficult to diagnose due to its uncomplicated presentation. Nevertheless, the progress of appendix inflammation, the possibility of abdominal sepsis, and co-morbidities should all be taken into consideration when deciding how to manage individual patients.