BACKGROUND: To quantify the presence of proteoglycans in fascia transversalis and anterior sheath of the abdominal rectus muscle, from males, adults, with Nyhus type II and IIIA inguinal hernia. METHODS: The samples were divided in three groups: Group I - twenty patients with Nyhus type II inguinal hernia; Group II - twenty patients with Nyhus type IIIa inguinal hernias. Group III - control comprised of ten cadavers with no more than 24 hours death and no hernias; Fascia transversalis and anterior sheath of the abdominal rectus muscle samples were collected and stained with alcian blue pH2,5. Computerized hystological evaluation (IMAGELAB) was used to analyse the samples prepared as described above. RESULTS: A smaller quantity of proteoglycan was found in patients with inguinal hernia as compared to control group and this was stastically significant. CONCLUSION: Patient with Nyhus type II and IIIa inguinal hernias had a smaller amount of proteoglycans in fascia transversalis and anterior sheath of the abdominal rectus muscle. The role of these findings regardind the etiology of inguinal hernias remains to be better evaluated by further research.
Hernia, inguinal; Heparan sulfate proteoglycan; Extracellular matrix; Fascia
