title: Amyand's hernia: a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac is known as Amyand's hernia. The aim of this systematic review was to gather information concerning its prevalence, clinical image, diagnosis, and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MEDLINE database was thoroughly searched using the keyword "Amyand's hernia." Additional articles were gathered and evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The true prevalence of Amyand's hernia seems lower than classically described. Its usual clinical image is identical to that of an incarcerated hernia, and thus it is almost impossible to diagnose preoperatively, although ultrasound and computed tomography can help. Treatment includes hernioplasty with or without appendectomy and/or mesh repair depending on the vermiform appendix's inflammation status, the patient's general condition, and other factors. Amyand's hernia generally has a good prognosis, although serious complications have been described. Surgeons should be prepared if they encounter Amyand's hernia because appropriate treatment ensures hernia repair without complications and with avoidance of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, "Laikon" University Hospital, 2nd Floor, Agiou Thoma 17 Str, Goudi, Athens, Greece; Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, "Laikon" General University, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: amichalinos@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Adamantios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalinos
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, "Laikon" University Hospital, 2nd Floor, Agiou Thoma 17 Str, Goudi, Athens, Greece; Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, "Laikon" General University, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moris
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, "Laikon" General University, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vernadakis
mesh_terms: D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013526:Surgical Mesh
keywords: Amyand's hernia; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Inguinal hernia; Mesh repair