PSEUDOTUMOR OF THE BLADDER - A LATE COMPLICATION OF INGUINAL HERNIORRHAPHY

Damage to the bladder during inguinal hernia repair is possible especi ally if the bladder or a bladder diverticulum is involved in the herni a sac. Unrecognized injury to the bladder can lead to late complicatio ns. We report a case of pseudotumor in a bladder diverticulum due to l ong-term retention of a misplaced suture. The literature on bladder in jury after inguinal herniorrhaphy and on pseudotumor formation is brie fly reviewed. It is important to be aware of a history of inguinal sur gery and to obtain definitive histologic evidence of malignancy prior to making the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma. This will avoid unnecess ary radical surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. (C) 1997, Els evier Science Inc. All rights reserved.