Missed lipoma of the spermatic cord.

The aim of the research was to determine the incidence, significance, and anatomy of spermatic cord and round ligament lipomas. Between 2000 and 2010 we evaluated 969 consecutive patients with 1,070 indirect inguinal hernias, who underwent open repair. A total of 22 lipomas of the spermatic cord or round ligament were identified and resected in 22 patients. No neoplastic changes confirmed in histopathologic examinations of the specimens were reported. Lipomas of the cord and round ligament occur with a considerable incidence. We believe that even if there is no peritoneal sac, the herniation of extraperitoneal fat through the inguinal canal should be counted as an inguinal hernia, and it requires adequate treatment.