Case study: diagnosis and operative management of de Garengeot hernia without appendectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract de Garengeot herniae have been reported in <100 cases in literature. They are characterized by an incarcerated femoral hernia containing the appendix. We present the case of a 45-year-old female who, upon emergency intraoperative consultation to a general surgeon while having a right groin exploration by a plastic surgeon, was found to have an appendix incarcerated within a femoral hernia. There was no evidence of appendicitis; thus, appendix was reduced and the hernia was repaired with a mesh plug. The patient did well postoperatively, with no complications and returned to complete activities. This occurred during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the common failure in preoperative diagnosis, it is important for surgeons to have a clinical suspicion for de Garengeot herniae for patients, presenting with a right groin bulge. Appendectomy may be safely avoided, eliminating appendectomy-associated morbidity and avoiding hospital transfer and the associated risk of COVID-19 exposure.