What is a Hernia?
It is an opening or area of weakness in the abdominal wall through which abdominal contents can protrude.
What is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of tissue, such as part of the intestine, through a weak area in the abdominal wall in the groin region. This protrusion may cause a visible bulge or swelling in the affected area.
Inguinal hernias can be congenital, meaning they are present from birth, or acquired, due to factors such as aging, excessive physical effort, obesity or muscle weakness.
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia can vary depending on the severity of the hernia and may include:
- Lump or swelling: Most people notice a lump or swelling in the groin or lower abdomen, especially when doing activities such as lifting heavy objects, coughing, or straining.
- Pain or discomfort: The lump may be accompanied by pain or discomfort, which may worsen with physical activity or standing for long periods of time.
- Feeling of heaviness or pressure: Some people with inguinal hernias may experience a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the affected area, especially after standing for long periods.
- Abdominal discomfort: In some cases, inguinal hernias may cause general abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting, especially if the herniated tissue becomes trapped or strangulated, which can obstruct blood flow to the intestine.
- Pain during bowel movement : In more severe cases, pressure on the herniated tissue during a bowel movement can cause abdominal pain or discomfort.
There are three types of inguinal hernias:
- Direct inguinal hernia: In this type of hernia, tissue protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall in the groin area, but does not pass through the inguinal canal. It is most common in men over age 40.
- Indirect inguinal hernia: This type of hernia develops when a portion of the small intestine protrudes through the inguinal canal, which is a narrow passage in the lower abdomen. An indirect inguinal hernia is often due to a congenital weakness in the abdominal wall or incomplete closure of the inguinal canal during fetal development. This type of hernia is more common in men and can occur at any age.
- Bilateral inguinal hernia: This type of hernia involves protrusions on both sides of the groin. However, both indirect and direct inguinal hernias can occur bilaterally in some cases.
What treatment do we offer?
Inguinal Hernioplasty with Mesh
The surgery used to repair an inguinal hernia is called inguinal hernioplasty or groin hernia repair. There are several surgical techniques that can be used to repair an inguinal hernia, some of the common techniques include mesh hernioplasty, which can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. The surgeon makes an incision in the groin and pushes the bulging tissue back into the abdomen. The surgeon then sutures the weakened area and often reinforces it with synthetic mesh (hernioplasty). The opening is then closed with stitches, staples, or surgical glue.
