Management of groin hernias detected by ultrasound: a comprehensive study.

INTRODUCTION: It remains unclear whether ultrasound-detected hernias (UDH) are the sole cause of pain in patients with groin pain, and clinical examination plays a complementary role. The aim of our study is to describe the evolution of patients with ultrasound detected hernias in terms of development of groin hernia detected by physical examination, pain resolution, and alternative diagnosis. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, longitudinal study of a prospective case series including patients with UDH with groin pain. Follow-up evaluation included the following: follow-up time, side of pain, its evolution, time to resolution, clinical hernia (CH) development, need for surgical resolution, and the presence of postoperative pain and alternative diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients with complete follow-up for groin pain and UDH were included. Seven patients (7.1%) developed CH, with a median time to conversion of 8 months. Four of them (4.1% of the total and 57.1% of the ones who developed CH) ended up having surgery. Fifty-three patients (54.1%) resolved their pain in a median time to resolution of 2 months, and 75.5% of them did so spontaneously. The majority of patients with persistent pain (73.3%) were able to lead a normal life and only reported pain with movement. More than half of the patients (53.3%) reached a specific diagnosis. Among those patients who did not develop CH, 39.6% reached an alternative diagnosis, the majority being musculoskeletal pathologies. CONCLUSION: Watchful waiting and a thorough search for other alternative causes of groin pain in UDH and clinically occult hernia would be a reasonable option.

Hernia vesical inguinoescrotal incarcerada: manejo quirúrgico / Incarcerated inguinoscrotal bladder hernia: surgical management

RESUMEN La hernia vesical es una entidad asociada a la hernia inguinal, con predisposición de lado derecho, en un porcentaje de 0,5 a 3%, hasta 10% en hombres, y a partir de la quinta a séptima década de vida1. La mayoría son pequeñas; la fisiopatología más común es la obstrucción mientras que la hiperplasia prostática es la principal etiología. La presentación clínica es poco específica, y el diagnóstico es en la mayoría de los casos transoperatorio. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de género masculino de 64 años, con antecedente patológico de enfermedad de Parkinson, hernia inguinal izquierda reducible hace 5 años. Acudió a consulta médica por manifestar dolor abdominal de moderada intensidad, más aumento de volumen en región inguinoescrotal izquierda. Al realizar el examen físico se constató una hernia inguinoescrotal izquierda no reducible. Con el diagnóstico de hernia inguinal incarcerada se realizó una exploración quirúrgica, con hallazgos de hernia inguinoescrotal de gran tamaño con contenido vesical y epiplón incarcerado con cambios de coloración. Se realizó entonces la reparación de la hernia. La evolución posoperatoria fue satisfactoria sin complicaciones.

ABSTRACT Bladder hernia is a condition associated with inguinal hernia, usually right-sided, in 0.5 to 3% of the cases and up to 10% in men between the fifth and seventh decade of life. Most hernias are small; the most common pathophysiology is obstruction while prostatic hyperplasia is the main etiology. The clinical presentation is unspecific, and the diagnosis is usually made during surgery. We report the case of a 64-year-old male patient with a history of Parkinson's disease and reducible left inguinal hernia 5 years before, who sought medical advice due to abdominal pain of moderate intensity, with increased volume in the left inguinoscrotal region.On physical examination a diagnosis of left-sided non-reducible inguinoscrotal hernia was made. With the diagnosis of incarcerated inguinal hernia the patient underwent surgical exploration which showed a large inguinoscrotal hernia containing the bladder and incarcerated omentum with color changes. The hernia was repaired, and the patient evolved with favorable outcome.

Técnica TAPP en manos jóvenes. Es posible reproducir los resultados de la técnica Lichtenstein para la hernia inguinal sintomática primaria unilateral / Tapp technique performed by young hands. Reproducing the results of the lichtenstein procedure for symptomatic primary unilateral inguinal hernia

RESUMEN Antecedentes: La hernioplastia inguinal es el procedimiento quirúrgico más frecuentemente realizado dentro de la Cirugía General. Se realizan anualmente 20 millones de hernioplastias; la técnica de Lichtenstein y la transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) mediante cirugía laparoscópica son las más utilzadas. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es valorar la factibilidad de la realización del TAPP, en un centro universitario, por parte de residentes y cirujanos jóvenes en formación. Se comparó dicho procedimiento con la técnica de Lichtenstein valorando los resultados en los primeros 30 días del posoperatorio. Las principales variables para estudiar fueron: complicaciones, dolor posoperatorio, estadía hospitalaria y costo del procedimiento. Como variables para estudiar, a largo plazo, se compararon la recidiva herniaria y el dolor crónico. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional comparando dos técnicas quirúrgicas utilizando la base de datos del Servicio con información adquirida de forma prospectiva. Se analizaron 80 pacientes, divididos en dos grupos: hernioplastia de Lichtenstein (grupo1) y hernioplastia por TAPP (grupo 2), durante el período comprendido desde mayo de 2015 hasta mayo de 2019, en dos Centros Universitarios de Montevideo Uruguay (Hospital de Clínicas y Hospital Español). Resultados: No hubo diferencia significativa en la estadía hospitalaria y complicaciones posoperatorias. El grupo del Lichtenstein presentó una recidiva herniaria. La hernioplastia laparoscópica presentó un tiempo operatorio promedio de 20 minutos más y el costo de materiales fue mayor. Si bien el dolor posoperatorio en las primeras 24 horas fue mayor en TAPP, el dolor a las 48 horas, 7días, un mes, tres meses y seis meses fue similar en ambos grupos. Conclusión: La técnica de TAPP, para la hernia inguinal primaria unilateral, es factible de ser realizada por cirujanos jóvenes o en formación, con un porcentaje de complicaciones, dolor posoperatorio y recidivas similares al Lichtenstein, aunque con un costo de materiales y tiempo operatorio levemente mayor.

ABSTRACT Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common procedures in general surgery. Each year, 20 million surgeries for inguinal hernia repaired are performed; the most common techniques used are the Lichtenstein procedure and the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic approach. Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the outcomes of the TAPP approach performed by residents and young surgeons in training in a university center. TAPP was compared with the Lichtenstein and the outcomes at 30 days were compared. The variables considered were complications, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay and procedure-related costs. The long-term variables analyzed were recurrence and chronic pain. Material and methods: We conducted an observational study comparing two surgical techniques, using prospectively acquired information from the database of our department. The cohort was made up of 80 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair in two university-based hospitals in Montevideo, Uruguay (Hospital de Clínicas and Hospital Español), between May 2015 and May 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: Lichtenstein procedure (group 1) and TAPP procedure (group 2). Results: There were no significant differences in length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. One patient in the Lichtenstein group presented hernia recurrence. Mean operative time was 20 minutes longer with laparoscopic hernia repair, and the cost of the materials was higher. Postoperative pain at 24 hours was greater in the TAPP group, but was similar at 48 hours, 7 days, one month, three months and six months in both groups. Conclusion: The use of TAPP technique for unilateral primary inguinal hernia is feasible to perform by young surgeons or surgeons in training, and the percentage of complications, postoperative pain and recurrences is similar to that of the Lichtenstein technique, although the cost of materials and operative time are slightly higher.

Amyand's hernia complicated with appendicitis.

Introduction: The finding of a vermiform appendix within the peritoneal sac of an indirect inguinal hernia occurs in approximately 1% of cases. However, the presence of appendicitis within an inguinal hernial sac is found only in 0.08% of the general population. Case Report: We present the case of a 58-year-old male patient that was admitted with abdominal pain associated with a small non-reducible right groin mass. Discussion: To establish the correct diagnosis preoperatively, an abdominal and pelvic CT scan is mandatory. Conclusion: Acute appendicitis in an Amyand's hernia is a very rare entity that can be easily misdiagnosed preoperatively. CT is extremely useful in reaching the correct preoperative diagnosis.

Introducción: El hallazgo de un apéndice vermiforme dentro del saco peritoneal de una hernia inguinal indirecta ocurre en aproximadamente el 1% de los casos. Sin embargo, la presencia de apendicitis dentro de un saco herniario inguinal se encuentra sólo en el 0.08% de la población general. Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 58 años que ingresa por dolor abdominal asociado a una pequeña masa inguinal derecha no reducible. Discusión: Para establecer el diagnóstico correcto preoperatorio, es obligatoria una tomografía computarizada de abdomen y pelvis. Conclusión: La apendicitis aguda en la hernia de Amyand es una entidad muy rara que puede diagnosticarse erróneamente fácilmente en el preoperatorio. La TC es de gran utilidad para llegar al correcto diagnóstico preoperatorio.

Resection of a giant retroperitoneal lipoma herniating through the inguinal canal.

Retroperitoneal lipomas are extremely rare with few cases reported so far in the literature. They can reach different sizes and present with a variety of symptoms. The differential diagnosis is mainly with well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS). We present a 34-year-old woman with a retroperitoneal lipoma herniating through the inguinal canal into the proximal thigh. The patient underwent complete oncological resection using a Karakousis's abdominoinguinal incision. Retroperitoneal lipomas are a very rare condition and sometimes require resections technically challenging. MDM2 amplification is critical for its differential diagnosis with WDLPS.

Vasitis: a clinical confusion diagnosis with inguinal hernia

Abstract Vasitis or inflammation of the vas deferens is a rarely described condition categorized as either generally asymptomatic vasitis nodosa or the acutely painful infectious vasitis. Vasitis nodosa, the commonly described inflammation of the vas deferens, is benign and usually associated with a history of vasectomy. Clinically, patients present with a nodular mass and are often asymptomatic and require no specific treatment.

Accuracy of the ultrasound examination in patients with inguinal hernia. / Avaliação da acurácia do exame ultrassonográfico em pacientes portadores de hérnia inguinal.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of inguinal hernia in the preoperative period of patients submitted to inguinal herniorrhaphy. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective, descriptive, analytical study, based on data obtained from the charts of patients submitted to inguinal herniorrhaphy between January 2016 and December 2017 and who underwent ultrasonography in the preoperative period. The sample consisted of 232 patients, and we compared the results of the ultrasonography with the complaints, physical examination and intraoperative findings. RESULTS: ultrasonography was in agreement with inguinal hernia complaint in 52% of patients (p=0.019). There was a disagreement between the percentage of patients who presented a hernia at the physical examination not confirmed by the ultrasound examination (28.57%) and the percentage of hernias identified only by the complementary examination (8.93%), with statistical significance (p=0.0291). When comparing the ultrasound findings with the intraoperative ones, 32.70% of patients presenting with hernia had normal ultrasonography, with statistical significance for discordance (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: ultrasound was an unreliable method to help diagnosis in dubious cases of inguinal hernia, and dispensable when the diagnosis was confirmed by typical complaints and compatible physical examination.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a acurácia da ultrassonografia no diagnóstico de hérnia inguinal no pré-operatório de pacientes submetidos à herniorrafia inguinal. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo descritivo, analítico, baseado em dados obtidos dos prontuários de pacientes submetidos à herniorrafia inguinal entre janeiro de 2016 e dezembro de 2017 e que realizaram ultrassonografia no período pré-operatório. A amostra foi composta por 232 pacientes e foram comparados os resultados da ultrassonografia com as queixas, exame físico e achados intraoperatórios desses pacientes. RESULTADOS: a ultrassonografia apresentou concordância com a queixa de hérnia inguinal em 52% dos pacientes (p=0,019). Houve discordância entre a porcentagem de pacientes que apresentaram hérnia ao exame físico não confirmada pelo exame ultrassonográfico (28,57%) e a porcentagem de hérnias identificadas somente ao exame complementar (8,93%), com significância estatística (p=0,0291). Quando comparados os resultados ultrassonográficos com achados intraoperatórios, 32,70% dos pacientes que apresentavam hérnia tinham ultrassonografia normal com significância estatística para discordância (p=0,001). CONCLUSÃO: a ultrassonografia mostrou-se método não confiável para auxiliar no diagnóstico em casos duvidosos de hérnia inguinal e dispensável quando o diagnóstico era confirmado por queixas típicas e exame físico compatível.

Vasitis: a clinical confusion diagnosis with inguinal hernia.

Vasitis or inflammation of the vas deferens is a rarely described condition categorized as ei-ther generally asymptomatic vasitis nodosa or the acutely painful infectious vasitis. Vasitis nodosa, the commonly described inflammation of the vas deferens, is benign and usually associated with a history of vasectomy. Clinically, patients present with a nodular mass and are often asymptomatic and require no specific treatment.

Avaliação da acurácia do exame ultrassonográfico em pacientes portadores de hérnia inguinal / Accuracy of the ultrasound examination in patients with inguinal hernia

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a acurácia da ultrassonografia no diagnóstico de hérnia inguinal no pré-operatório de pacientes submetidos à herniorrafia inguinal. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo descritivo, analítico, baseado em dados obtidos dos prontuários de pacientes submetidos à herniorrafia inguinal entre janeiro de 2016 e dezembro de 2017 e que realizaram ultrassonografia no período pré-operatório. A amostra foi composta por 232 pacientes e foram comparados os resultados da ultrassonografia com as queixas, exame físico e achados intraoperatórios desses pacientes. Resultados: a ultrassonografia apresentou concordância com a queixa de hérnia inguinal em 52% dos pacientes (p=0,019). Houve discordância entre a porcentagem de pacientes que apresentaram hérnia ao exame físico não confirmada pelo exame ultrassonográfico (28,57%) e a porcentagem de hérnias identificadas somente ao exame complementar (8,93%), com significância estatística (p=0,0291). Quando comparados os resultados ultrassonográficos com achados intraoperatórios, 32,70% dos pacientes que apresentavam hérnia tinham ultrassonografia normal com significância estatística para discordância (p=0,001). Conclusão: a ultrassonografia mostrou-se método não confiável para auxiliar no diagnóstico em casos duvidosos de hérnia inguinal e dispensável quando o diagnóstico era confirmado por queixas típicas e exame físico compatível.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of inguinal hernia in the preoperative period of patients submitted to inguinal herniorrhaphy. Methods: we conducted a retrospective, descriptive, analytical study, based on data obtained from the charts of patients submitted to inguinal herniorrhaphy between January 2016 and December 2017 and who underwent ultrasonography in the preoperative period. The sample consisted of 232 patients, and we compared the results of the ultrasonography with the complaints, physical examination and intraoperative findings. Results: ultrasonography was in agreement with inguinal hernia complaint in 52% of patients (p=0.019). There was a disagreement between the percentage of patients who presented a hernia at the physical examination not confirmed by the ultrasound examination (28.57%) and the percentage of hernias identified only by the complementary examination (8.93%), with statistical significance (p=0.0291). When comparing the ultrasound findings with the intraoperative ones, 32.70% of patients presenting with hernia had normal ultrasonography, with statistical significance for discordance (p=0.001). Conclusion: ultrasound was an unreliable method to help diagnosis in dubious cases of inguinal hernia, and dispensable when the diagnosis was confirmed by typical complaints and compatible physical examination.

Prospective ultrasonographic study of blood flow and testicular volume in patients submitted to surgical repair of inguinal hernia without using prosthesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the behavior of arterial circulation and testicular volume in patients submitted to conventional inguinal hernia repair without the use of a synthetic prosthesis to reinforce the posterior wall. METHODS: A prospective observational clinical trial was performed on 26 male patients with unilateral inguinal hernia types I and II by the Nyhus classification, who underwent surgical correction using the modified Bassini technique. Bilateral Doppler ultrasonography was performed preoperatively, at the third and at the sixth postoperative month. The studied variables were: systolic peak velocity (SPV), diastolic peak velocity (DPV), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) and testicular volume. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes over time in the variables studied on the operated side: SPV (p = 0.916), DPV (p = 0.304), RI (p = 0.879), PI (p = 0.475), and testicular volume (p = 0.100). The variables on the control side also did not change statistically until the sixth postoperative month: SPV (p = 0.784), DPV (p = 0.446), RI (p = 0.672), PI (p = 0.607), and testicular volume (p = 0.413). CONCLUSION: Surgical correction of the inguinal hernia without the use of a prosthesis does not cause alterations in vascularization and testicular volume in the first six months postoperatively.

Prospective ultrasonographic study of blood flow and testicular volume in patients submitted to surgical repair of inguinal hernia without using prosthesis

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the behavior of arterial circulation and testicular volume in patients submitted to conventional inguinal hernia repair without the use of a synthetic prosthesis to reinforce the posterior wall. Methods: A prospective observational clinical trial was performed on 26 male patients with unilateral inguinal hernia types I and II by the Nyhus classification, who underwent surgical correction using the modified Bassini technique. Bilateral Doppler ultrasonography was performed preoperatively, at the third and at the sixth postoperative month. The studied variables were: systolic peak velocity (SPV), diastolic peak velocity (DPV), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) and testicular volume. Results: There were no statistically significant changes over time in the variables studied on the operated side: SPV (p = 0.916), DPV (p = 0.304), RI (p = 0.879), PI (p = 0.475), and testicular volume (p = 0.100). The variables on the control side also did not change statistically until the sixth postoperative month: SPV (p = 0.784), DPV (p = 0.446), RI (p = 0.672), PI (p = 0.607), and testicular volume (p = 0.413). Conclusion: Surgical correction of the inguinal hernia without the use of a prosthesis does not cause alterations in vascularization and testicular volume in the first six months postoperatively.

Unilateral Lichtenstein tension-free mesh hernia repair and testicular perfusion: a prospective control study.

PURPOSE: Compare testicular perfusion between the herniated and the healthy side pre- and post-surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was done on patients with unilateral inguinal hernia. A Doppler ultrasound study was performed in the healthy and herniated side before surgery and 3 months after it. RESULTS: 31 patients were included, 74.2% on the right and 25.8% on the left side. When comparing the pre-surgical values of testicular resistance index from the healthy side with those on the herniated side, there was a significant difference at the spermatic cord levels (0.73 ± 0.11 and 0.81 ± 0.13, p = 0.018) and the extra-testicular level (0.66 ± 0.92 and 0.74 ± 0.10, p = 0.032), but a significant difference was not present at the intra-testicular level (0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.65 ± 0.08). Three months after the surgery, there were no statistically significant differences at any of the levels studied. CONCLUSION: There are no intra-testicular perfusion differences caused by the presence of hernia, nor during post-surgery.

Un recorrido por la pared abdominal: evaluación de las hernias por tomografía computada multidetector / A tour of the abdominal wall: assessment of hernias by multidetector computed tomography

Si bien el diagnóstico de hernias de la pared abdominal es clínico y el estudio más indicado es la ecografía, en una gran cantidad de casos es difícil su evaluación o no se sospecha su presencia debido al biotipo del paciente, la ausencia de síntomas, la aparición de complicaciones o corresponde a algún tipo de hernia poco frecuente. Además, la debilidad de la pared abdominal generada por una cirugía predispone a la eventración de órganos, a veces poco habituales, como el hígado, la vejiga o el apéndice. La utilización de la tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD) brinda grandes ventajas cuando resulta dificultoso establecer el diagnóstico por otros métodos. También puede ser un hallazgo incidental a tener en cuenta por sus posibles complicaciones futuras. En el presente trabajo describimos los principales hallazgos por TCMD de las hernias y eventraciones de la pared abdominal (como la umbilical, epigástrica, hipogástrica, inguinal, de Spiegel, lumbar, obturatriz, intercostal e incisional) y su contenido.

Although the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias is clinical, and the most appropriate study is ultrasound, in a lot of cases they are difficult to evaluate, or their presence is not suspected because of the biotype of the patient, the absence of symptoms, the presence of complications, or the appearance of rare hernias. Surgery weakness generated in the wall leads to organ hernia, sometimes unusual, as in the liver, bladder, or appendix. The use of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a great advantage in these situations where the diagnosis can be difficult to determine with other methods. It also can be an incidental finding to consider eventual complications. In this paper, the main MDCT findings in abdominal wall hernias are described, including umbilical, epigastric, hypogastric, inguinal, Spiegel, lumbar, obturator, intercostal, and incisional, as well as their content.

The challenging sonographic inguinal canal evaluation in neonates and children: an update of differential diagnoses.

Bulging of the inguinal region is a frequent complaint in the pediatric population and sonographic findings can be challenging for radiologists. In this review we update the sonographic findings of the most common disorders that affect the inguinal canal in neonates and children, with a focus on the processus vaginalis abnormalities such as congenital hydroceles, indirect inguinal hernias and cryptorchidism, illustrated with cases collected at a quaternary hospital during a 7-year period. We emphasize the importance of correctly classifying different types of congenital hydrocele and inguinal hernia to allow for early surgical intervention when necessary. We have systematically organized and illustrated all types of congenital hydrocele and inguinal hernias based on embryological, anatomical and pathophysiological findings to assist readers in the diagnosis of even complex cases of inguinal canal ultrasound evaluation in neonates and children. We also present rare diagnoses such as the abdominoscrotal hydrocele and the herniation of uterus and ovaries into the canal of Nuck.