Amyand's hernia in an 11-month-old: a rare intraoperative finding of an adherent appendix

Amyand's hernia is rare type of inguinal hernia characterized by the presence of the appendix within the hernia sac. It is more common in children due to patent processus vaginalis. It is often diagnosed intraoperatively, which makes it clinically significant, as it can mimic other groin pathologies and influence surgical decision-making. We report the case of an 11-month-old male who presented with a reducible right inguinal swelling since birth. On physical examination, a soft, non-tender mass was palpable in the right inguinal region, which increased in size with Valsalva-like maneuvers. Radiological findings confirmed the right inguinal hernia, but appendix was not visualized. During elective herniotomy, the sac was found to contain the cecum with a densely adherent, normal appendix. An appendectomy was performed along with herniotomy.