[Morphological study of the inguinal hernial sac].

The pathological changes observed in 76 hernial sacs removed at operations for inguinal hernias are reported. The shape and size of hernial sacs varied from case to case, containing from small to large amounts of adipose tissue and, sometimes, also of smooth muscle. The role played by this muscular tissue is not yet clear; it is possible that it acts as supportive tissue against hernial sac enlargement. In one case schistosomotic granuloma and in the other a metastasis of ovarian carcinoma was found. For better understanding of the evolution of hernias and for the diagnosis of associated diseases there is the need for routine pathological examination of hernial sacs.