Low lying pubic tubercle: A predictor of development of inguinal hernia

Abstract

All the inguinal hernias begin within a single weak area called myopectoneal orifice, the natural mechanisms in our body which support this area are oblique direction of the inguinal canal in abdominal wall, the tension mechanism of transversalis fascia and presence of aponeurotic extensions from the transverse abdominis aponeurotic arch in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. As the distance from pubic tubercle to the horizontal line joining two anterior-superior iliac spine increases, the inguinal canal becomes less oblique that leads to increased risk of development of inguinal hernia. The present project was planned to study the role of low-lying pubic tubercle in development of inguinal hernia. The present case control study was conducted in our institute from June 2018 to April 2019 taking 100 cases and 100 control meeting inclusion criteria. In all patients, following parameters SS line, ST line, height, weight was recorded and evaluated. The mean value of ST line in our study group is7.3476±0.16354cm significantly greater (p=0.05) than the controls the mean value being 6.9242±0.12620cm. Group of people with low-lying pubic tubercle are at high risk of developing inguinal hernia.