The surgical implications of herniation of the urinary bladder

L. G. Gomella, S. M. Spires, J. M. Burton, M. D. Ram and R. C. Flanigan

The urinary bladder is often involved in an inguinal hernia, but herniation of the entire bladder into the scrotum is rare. As many as 4% of inguinal hernias may involve the bladder, usually in the form of a sliding hernia. Most urinary bladder herniations are diagnosed at the time of inguinal herniorrhaphy, and are therefore most commonly repaired through an inguinal incision. If the diagnosis requires amendment, alternative surgical approaches are available. We studied two patients with massive inguinoscrotal herniation of the urinary bladder, commonly referred to as "scrotal cystocele." We reviewed the literature, incidence, causes, diagnosis, and surgical consideration of herniation of the urinary bladder, and gave particular attention to the interrelationship of bladder herniations with inguinal hernias.