[Acute neonatal appendicitis in an inguinal hernia]

Amyand's hernia: a review

BACKGROUND

The presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac is known as Amyand's hernia. The aim of this systematic review was to gather information concerning its prevalence, clinical image, diagnosis, and treatment.

DATA SOURCES

The MEDLINE database was thoroughly searched using the keyword "Amyand's hernia." Additional articles were gathered and evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

The true prevalence of Amyand's hernia seems lower than classically described. Its usual clinical image is identical to that of an incarcerated hernia, and thus it is almost impossible to diagnose preoperatively, although ultrasound and computed tomography can help. Treatment includes hernioplasty with or without appendectomy and/or mesh repair depending on the vermiform appendix's inflammation status, the patient's general condition, and other factors. Amyand's hernia generally has a good prognosis, although serious complications have been described. Surgeons should be prepared if they encounter Amyand's hernia because appropriate treatment ensures hernia repair without complications and with avoidance of recurrence.

Amyand's Hernia in a 6-Week-Old Infant: A Delayed Diagnosis

In Amyand's hernia, the hernia sac contains the appendix. This can be normal and accidentally found during herniotomy or inflamed and present as acute scrotum, although the latter is less frequent. We present a case of a male infant with scrotal abscess resulting from Amyand's hernia, with appendicitis and periappendicular abscess.

Amyand's hernia in premature neonates: report of two cases

The finding of a normal or inflamed vermiform appendix within an inguinal hernia is termed Amyand's hernia. It is extremely rare in children, especially in infants and neonates. When it occurs, it is usually misdiagnosed as an irreducible or strangulated inguinal hernia, and the accurate diagnosis is made intraoperatively. We report two cases of Amyand's hernia in premature neonates. Both patients presented on admission with signs and symptoms indicating a strangulated right inguinal hernia, and the accurate diagnosis was made intraoperatively. One of them had progressed to local peritonitis. Appendicectomy and hernia repair were made at the same time through an inguinal transverse incision, and the postoperative course was uneventful in both. We point out the need to consider acute appendicitis in the differential diagnosis of strangulated right inguinal hernia.

Amyand's hernia presenting as neonatal testicular ischaemia

Testicular ischaemia presenting in the neonatal period is most often attributable to neonatal torsion. We present an unusual case of a male neonate who presented with acute appendicitis within a patent processus vaginalis, causing cord compression and consequent testicular ischaemia.