A rare case of incarcerated appendix in a port site hernia: A case report

Hernias containing the vermiform appendix are very rare. The more common of these have eponyms, such as Amyand's hernia (incidence of 0.5-1 %) and de Garengeot's hernia (incidence of 0.8-1 %). Laparoscopic port site hernias containing the vermiform appendix are even more obscure with only seven previously reported cases.

A 71-year-old male presented with a palpable, non-reducible right lateral periumbilical mass, diagnosed preoperatively as an irreducible hernia at a port site from prior laparoscopic surgery. He had previously undergone laparoscopic bilateral inguinal hernia repairs with the 10 mm right lateral periumbilical port site defect within the musculoaponeurotic abdominal wall.

There are recommendations regarding the closure of most 10-12 mm port sites, and all 15 mm port sites, given most port site hernias are associated with larger trocars. It is reasonable to conclude that if our patient's 10 mm right lateral periumbilical port site received fascial closure, the resultant hernia may have been prevented.

Fascial closure of port sites >5 mm poses an easy and effective way to reduce risk of port site hernias as well as other potential complications, therein reducing readmission, need for additional surgery, and improving patient quality of life.