Complication Testicular Artery Laceration, Prophylactic Orchiectomy Procedure Umbilical and Right Inguinal Hernia Repair Primary Diagnosis Umbilical and Right Inguinal Hernia
66 yoM referred from his PCP for umbilical and right inguinal hernia which intermittently cause pain PMH: Peripheral Neuropathy, Chronic LBP, Gout, Anxiety, Hemorrhoids, HTN, Hyperlipidemia, Obesity PSH: None
Meds: Vicodin, Amlodipine, Rosuvastatin, Allopurinol, Niacin, Aspirin, Colchicine, Vitamin D, HCTZ, Metoprolol, Docusate ALL: NSAIDs
PE: /90 BMI: 35.8 ABD- Soft, NTND, reducible umbilical hernia ~3cm defect Groin- Reducible Right Inguinal Hernia
Umbilical hernia repaired with PHS Incision, external oblique fascia was entered, tissue was thick and adherent and there was difficulty identifying the spermatic structures The vas was identified proximally, but was adherent to a large hernia sac and fatty tissue distally.
On dissecting around the cord, an arterial bleed was encountered which was thought to be the testicular artery At this point it was felt the testicle may become ischemic postoperatively and an orchiectomy was performed The inguinal ligament was sutured to conjoined tendon, closing the inguinal ring completely and overlay mesh was placed
Was the complication potentially avoidable? – Yes. Technical Error Would avoiding the complication change the outcome for the patient? - Yes. Orchiectomy was unnecessary procedure What factors contributed the complication? – Pts obesity, failure identify key structures, technical error
1 Acute Hernia Incarceration occurred in two years in the watchful waiting group (0.3%) The “Hernia Accident Rate” was events per patient year By two years 23% of watchful waiting patients had crossed over to surgical repair (31% in 4 years)
Conclusion: Watchful waiting is a safe and acceptable option for men with assymptomatic or minimally symptomatic hernias Acute hernia incarcerations occur rarely Patients who develop symptoms have no greater risk of operative complications than those undergoing prophylactic repair
The difference in reoperation rate was in the first two years and appears to affect patients operated on by low caseload laparoscopic surgeons This study provides evidence of the need for an adequate caseload for surgeons undertaking laparosopic repair of inguinal hernia