Amyand Hernia in a Pediatric Patient With Acute Perforated Appendicitis Undergoing Laparoscopy: A Brief Report and Literature Review

Abstract

An 8-year-old male presented for evaluation of symptoms consistent with appendicitis. Upon laparoscopy, the patient was found to have appendicitis with a concomitant Amyand hernia. The latter pathology highlights a rare presentation of inguinal hernias in which the vermiform appendix herniates into the inguinal canal. Inguinal hernias are frequently encountered in pediatric populations; however, Amyand hernias have seemingly negligible incidence in all age demographics. These comprise roughly 1% of all diagnosed abdominal hernias. When seen in concurrence with appendicitis, the incidence is 0.13%. Recent literature has sought to classify types of Amyand hernias and criteria described by Losanoff and Basson is an attempt to guide surgical management. Although our management did not coincide with the proposed management above, the patient made a full recovery. In conclusion, Amyand hernias remain a rare entity that can be indistinguishable from routine inguinal hernias on clinical examination and management of Amyand hernia with appendicitis is not well defined.