During repair of an indirect inguinal hernia, the deep inguinal ring is found to be medial to the inferior epigastric vessels. This finding indicates that the hernia is actually:

• A Indirect inguinal hernia
• B Femoral hernia
• C Direct inguinal hernia ✓
• D Pantaloon hernia

Explanation

A direct inguinal hernia protrudes through Hesselbach's triangle, which lies medial to the inferior epigastric vessels. In contrast, an indirect hernia passes through the deep inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels. The inferior epigastric vessels are the intraoperative landmark used to distinguish the two types. A pantaloon hernia has components of both direct and indirect hernias straddling the inferior epigastric vessels.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.