Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Indirect Inguinal Hernia without Torsion of Greater Omentum

  (A case Report)

  M.M. Taghavi [1] , H.R. Jafari Naveh [2]

  Received: 30/01/10 Sent for Revision: 10/04/10 Received Revised Manuscript: 24/08/10 Accepted: 02/10/10

  Background and Objectives: Inguinal hernia s account for 75-85% of abdominal wall hernias. Inguinal hernia s are often classified as direct and indirect . The sac of hernia can include intestines, bladder, colons, ovary and appendices . The torsion of greater omentum with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia is a rare condition. In the present study a different rare case of inguinal hernia is reported.

  Case report: An abnormal swelling was seen on the right scrotal sac of a 50-year old man's cadaver in dissection room of Rafsanjan Medical School. Before dissection of cadaver, and with regard to the age of the case, the cause of swelling was diagnosed as direct inguinal hernia. Dissection of cadaver showed that the greater omentum is normal and without torsion, but a part of it was placed on the right inguinal canal. This part of omentum had entered the deep ring first and then had gone into canal and finally reached scrotal sac causing mentioned swelling and atrophy of testis. After the dissection of other body parts, some variations were seen.

  Conclusion : This type of inguinal hernia formed by greater omentum is a rare variation because firstly the involved testis was atrophied. Secondly there was no torsion in the greater omentum and lastly, with regard to atrophied testis, the hernia was from the embryonic period and had remained from the vaginal process. Diagnosis of this type of hernia is difficult for the surgeons especially when there are no clinical signs and pain involved.

  Key words : Indirect Inguinal Hernia, Greater Omentum, Torsion, Direct Inguinal Hernia

  [1] - Assistant Prof., Dept. of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

  Corresponding autor, Tel: (0391) 4220244, Fax: (0391) 5225209, E-mail: taghavi164@yahoo.com

  [2] - Academic Member, Dept. of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran