Case Report: Fournier's gangrene complicating ruptured Richte's inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: The deceptive entity of Richter's hernia typically presents with complications that are usually associated with high morbidity and mortality􀀃 OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to highlight the association between Richter's groin hernia and Fournier's gangrene as demonstrated in a patient we managed recently. METHODS: A case report of the management of an elderly patient who presented with Fournier's gangrene to a Nigerian tertiary institution following a neglected Richter's hernia on the right groin. The scrotal gangrene was managed by aggressive debridement and secondary closure while the ruptured caecal Richter's hernia was treated by a limited right hemicolectomy with end-to-end ileocolonic anastomosis and repair of the internal ring. REPORT: We describe a rare case of Fournier's gangrene complicating a neglected caecal Richter's inguinal hernia in a 75-year-old Nigerian; highlighting the pathogenesis and management options. CONCLUSION: Caecal Richter's hernia can be associated with Fournier's gangrene. WAJM 2007; 26(4): 316-318.