Unusual presentation of a giant recurrent inguinal hernia: a case report

The recurrence rate of inguinal hernia is 1-10%, most often in the inguinal region, and seldom in different locations. A 72-year-old man with a large soft swelling in the right ventrolateral abdominal region without swelling in the scrotum, operated on right inguinal hernia at pediatric age. Clinical findings revealed a giant right ventrolateral hernia and abdominal CT showed weakness of the abdominal wall with a 25 cm long hernial sac with an apex under the right costal arch and a base at the deep inguinal opening, that was diagnosed as a recurrent inguinal hernia with unusual presentation. Hernioplasty without opening the hernial sac was performed in an atypical manner. The patient was discharged from the hospital without pain or discomfort at the follow-up. The common presentation of recurrent inguinal hernia is inguinal-scrotal but an unusual presentation should be reconsidered with a proper diagnosis and adequate surgical treatment.