Pubomyoaponeurotic foramen and posterior groin plait for groin hernia.

Sir Astley Paston Cooper stated in 1804 that a sound knowledge of proper anatomy of hernia is vital. But even in the succeeding two centuries, the confusion has only multiplied by varied and overly enthusiastic descriptions, some speculative and others real, by different workers. An attempt has been made to highlight the size of the controversies surrounding the anatomical structures forming the inguinal canal and groin. The inguinal and femoral hernias should be viewed collectively as one entity and together be called groin hernias. Therefore, the passage for their superficial emergence through the anterior abdominal wall is redefined and is called pubomyoaponeurotic foramen. It is uniformly accepted that the strong posterior wall of the groin area is the only preventive factor towards the emergence of hernia; it has been renamed as posterior groin plait. Therefore, proper understanding of its structure towards effective repair and reinforcement is the only safe method, whether the procedure is carried out by anterior or posterior route or laparoscopically. Hence, an attempt has been made to elucidate its true structure. In spite of so many descriptions, the exact anatomy of hernia is yet to be resolved.