LAUSR

BACKGROUND Groin hernias are frequently seen in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of patients who might have latent groin hernia. METHODS During laparoscopic abdominal surgery, we observed the area around the groin lesion and attempted to evaluate the degree of recess at myopectineal orifice. The classification defining the recess was as follows: Grade 0: no recess, Grade I: slight recess with a visible bottom, Grade II: deep recess with an invisible bottom, Grade III: other organ invaginated into the recess, and Grade IV: confirmed bulging on the body surface. RESULTS From 2009 to 2011, 46 patients were enrolled. A recess around myopectineal orifice were detected in 20 patients. The lesions were as follows: 11 on the lateral side of the inferior epigastric artery (IEA), five on the internal side of the IEA, three at both sites and one found at the femoral ring. According to the grade classification of these groin hernias, 26 (57%) were Grade 0, 14 (30%) Grade I, 4 (9%) Grade II, 1 (2%) Grade III, and 1 (2%) Grade IV. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that rate of patients with asymptomatic latent groin hernias is relatively high in Japanese.