During laparoscopic exploration of a groin hernia in a 48-year-old man, the surgeon finds two separate defects, one lateral and one medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, sharing a single peritoneal sac that straddles the vessels. What is this configuration called?

• A Interparietal (interstitial) hernia
• B Sliding hernia
• C Maydl's hernia
• D Pantaloon (saddlebag) hernia ✓

Explanation

D pantaloon or saddlebag hernia has both an indirect and a direct component arising from one continuous sac draped across the inferior epigastric vessels, resembling trousers hung over them. It matters surgically because repairing only the visible indirect defect leaves the direct component behind, a recognised cause of early recurrence. D sliding hernia has a viscus forming the sac wall, Maydl's describes a W-shaped strangulated loop, and interparietal hernias lie within the abdominal wall layers.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.