Amyand’s Hernia: A Case Report of an Incidental Intraoperative Finding

Abstract

We report a rare case of an incarcerated inguinal hernia containing the appendix. An octogenarian male presented with an 8-day history of pain and a right groin mass that appeared after physical exertion. He had a prior history of right inguinal herniorrhaphy. On abdominal examination, a tender and irreducible mass was noted in the right inguinal region. Ultrasound revealed an indirect inguinal hernia with intestinal content and no signs of ischemia. Intraoperatively, a normal appendix was identified within the hernia sac (Amyand’s hernia). The appendix was reduced, and a Lichtenstein hemioplasty was performed. Amyand’s hernia is an uncommon condition that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, with no specific clinical or laboratory signs. Abdominal computed tomography is considered the most reliable tool for preoperative diagnosis, although it is not routinely included in the initial assessment. Despite the existence of suggested management guidelines, surgical treatment continues to rely largely on the surgeon’s experience and patient-specific factors.