Inguinal Hernia

It is estimted that up to 75% of all abdominal hernias are Inguinal Hernias making this the most common form of a Hernia. The Inguinal hernia is more common in men than women. Often there is a weakness that along the inguinal canal following the descention of the testicles into the scrotum prior to birth. More then 500,000 men has a hernia that requires surgery every year in the United States. An Inguinal Hernia can occur at any age.

An "Indirect" Inguinal hernia descends along the spermatic cord in males from the deep internal ring. Or the round ligament in females. The "Direct" Inguinal hernia bulges through the posterior wall of the inguinal canal medial to the inferior epigastric artery, posterior to and separate from the spermatic cord. These hernias never occur in females An indirect Inguinal hernia may occur at all ages. The Direct Inguinal hernia occurs more frequently in males as they grow older.

A hernia is a condition in which part of the intestine bulges through a weak area in muscles in the abdomen. An inguinal hernia occurs in the groin (the area between the abdomen and thigh). It is called "inguinal" because the intestines push through a weak spot in the inguinal canal, which is a triangle-shaped opening between layers of abdominal muscle near the groin. Obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting, and straining to pass stool can cause the intestine to push against the inguinal canal.



Symptoms of inguinal hernia may include a lump in the groin near the thigh; pain in the groin; and, in severe cases, partial or complete blockage of the intestine. The doctor diagnoses hernia by doing a physical exam and by taking x rays and blood tests to check for blockage in the intestine.

The main treatment for inguinal hernia is surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. This surgery is called herniorrhaphy. Sometimes the weak area is reinforced with steel mesh or wire. This operation is called hernioplasty. If the protruding intestine becomes twisted or traps stool, part of the intestine might need to be removed.

An Endoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair has a slightly higher recurrence rate than open mesh, but the recovery rate and return to normal activity is quicker. Inguinal Hernia Open Repair is usually done as a day case. This is usually repaired under local anesthetic with I.V. sedation.

During surgery conducted under local anaesthesia, the patient will be asked to cough and strain during the procedure to help in demonstrating that the repair is "tension free" and sound.



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