De Garengeot’s Hernia – A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

Abstract

De Garengeot's hernia is an eponym for femoral hernia containing vermiform appendix as its content and is named after Rene-Jacques croissant De Garengeot after he first described the condition in 1731. We present a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with right inguinal swelling for 15 years associated with pain and vomiting for 2 days. Clinical examination revealed an irreducible femoral hernia. Emergency surgery was done and inflamed appendix was found as content of the sac. Appendectomy followed by mesh repair was done. Standard treatment protocol does not exist owing to its rarity and the outcome depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment given. A low inguinal approach is reasonable and use of polypropylene mesh warrants further study. This article is being presented because of its rarity and intends to briefly discuss the surgical pitfalls and considerations through an up-to-date literature review.