Non-palpable inguinal hernia in the female.

A total of 142 inguinal hernioplasties in 130 female patients with nonpalpable inguinal hernias were performed over a period of 8 years. The mean age in this series was 32 years. (Range 10-76 years). One hundred thirty six cases were followed 3-51 months postoperatively. One hundred seventeen of these (86%) were considered to have good results. Nonpalpable inguinal hernia in the female is clinically recognizable on the basis of intermittency, character and localization of the pain and typical findings at the clinical examination. About three quarters of these patients report in addition to dull inguinal pain, intermittent neuralgic pain and in almost two thirds of the patients a pin-prick hyperalgesia of the skin corresponding to the ilio-inguinal nerve can be demonstrated. It is also typical that all patients experience a distinct tenderness upon palpation over the deep inguinal ring during Valsalva's maneuvre. It is important to keep this condition in mind, especially since the patients respond well to surgical treatment.