Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to fix inguinal hernia with appendix removal in older man
By Rickward H et al.·2026·School of Medicine, Australia·View original on Europe PMC →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Intraoperative diagnosis of Amyand's hernia: inguinal herniorrhaphy, appendicectomy and orchidectomy.
Plain-English summary
In this case, a male patient in his 70s had a right-sided inguinal hernia, which was diagnosed using an ultrasound. During surgery, doctors found his appendix inside the hernia but it wasn't inflamed, meaning he didn't have appendicitis. Even so, they decided to remove the appendix because of his age and other health issues that could make future problems more likely. They repaired the hernia using a special mesh and a technique called the Bassini method. After the surgery, he recovered well with only mild discomfort and no complications, showing that the treatment was successful.
Abstract
Amyand's hernia, a rare condition where the appendix is contained within an inguinal hernia sac, occurs in ~1% of inguinal hernias, with <0.1% involving acute appendicitis. Though often diagnosed intraoperatively, imaging advancements like CT and ultrasound have improved preoperative detection. We present a case of a male in his 70s with a right-sided direct inguinal hernia, diagnosed via ultrasound. Intraoperatively, a non-inflamed appendix was found in the hernial sac. Despite the absence of appendicitis, an appendectomy was performed due to age, comorbidities and potential future risk. Hernia repair was completed using ProGrip self-fixating mesh and the Bassini technique. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with mild discomfort and no wound complications. This case underscores the ongoing debate regarding prophylactic appendectomy in non-inflamed Amyand's hernias and supports mesh repair when inflammation is absent. Individualised surgical decisions based on patient-specific risk factors remain key in managing this rare condition.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41545224