Biography
Biography: Amer Hashim Al Ani
Abstract
Introduction: The inguinal canal is a 3.75 cm passage in the anterior abdominal wall. It seems too small to miss or to find a foreign body in it. Foreign bodies can reach the inguinal canal in different ways; by ingestion, from the lumen, left by a surgeon, or through the abdominal wall. They may migrate from the peritoneal cavity e.g., gall stones spilled free during laparoscopic surgery. Foreign bodies may include fish, chicken bones, tooth picks, needles, safety pins, piece of wood, glass, sponge and gauze .The gastrointestinal tract is the most common route by which foreign bodies can reach the inguinal canal.
Case study: We present her two patients, both were males and their age was 49 and 70 years. The first (With a history of CVA on Aspirin) was presented to ER with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction due to a suspicious strangulated inguinal hernia. The
second (A case of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis) was presented to surgery clinic with history of chronic scrotal sinus on the same side of recurrent inguinal hernia. Both underwent exploration of the inguinal canal.
Result: Exploration of 1st inguinal canal revealed a balloon of a Foley's catheter inside a diverticulum of urinary bladder, which was a part of sliding inguinal hernia (the cause of intestinal obstruction was diagnosed as superior mesenteric artery occlusion during same
session laparotomy). Exploration of 2nd inguinal canal revealed missed surgical gauze left during the previous hernia repair.
Conclusion: The presence of foreign bodies in the inguinal canal is rare. Still they can be found during exploring the inguinal canal for hernia repair.