Inguinal Hernia, types, symptoms and treatments

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia refers to a protrusion or bulge of tissue, occurring in the lower abdominal wall (groin) area. It travels through the abdominal wall and can become a serious medical condition. Although small hernias may not have any symptoms, larger ones discomfort the patients which should be treated.

What is an inguinal hernia?

A hernia means that part of an organ in the body protrudes. It may protrude in an abnormal way or through an abnormal opening. An inguinal (groin) hernia happens when part of the intestine rises through a weak spot in the abdominal wall at the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal is a passageway in the abdominal wall near the groin.

This condition occurs in men 10 times more than in women. It develops when fatty tissues push through a weakness in the abdominal wall near the inguinal.

Inguinal hernia symptoms

The small inguinal hernia may not cause any symptom. However, the inguinal hernia with noticeable appearance causes bulges along the pubic or groin areas. It may increase in size when the patient stand up or cough. Then, it may be painful or sensitive to the touch. Other symptoms include:

• Pain when exercising, bending over or coughing
• Sharp pain
• Burning sensation
• Swelling of the scrotum in the men
• A heavy or full sensation in the groin

If the hernia increases in size, it may trap a portion of herniated intestine, which cannot turn back into the abdomen. In this case, the blocked intestine’s blood supply will be interrupted. Thus, there is a danger that the trapped intestine twists and dies.

Types of inguinal hernias

1. Indirect inguinal hernia

This is the most common type, often occurring in premature births, before the inguinal channel closure during fetal development. Further, it can happen at any time in your life. This condition is most common among males.

2. Direct inguinal hernia 

It develops over time due to straining, caused by the abdominal muscles’ weakness. It rarely occurs among children and is more prevalent among adults.

3. Incarcerated inguinal hernia

This urgent surgical condition occurs when tissue in the groin becomes stuck, which is not reducible. Namely, it cannot be pushed back into place.

4. Strangulated inguinal hernia

When a part of bowel which locates inside the hernia sac gets blocked, it may not interfere with blood supply at first. However, this issue leads to a strangulated inguinal hernia where gangrene of the sac content has been occurred. This is a life threatening condition that requires urgent surgical treatment.

Inguinal hernias treatment

Hernias that cause symptoms or get larger should be treated by surgery. Sometimes, patients wear a device called a truss. It pressures on the area and can relive it temporarily, but, it cannot be considered a long solution.

Two basic types of hernia treatments are open surgery and laparoscopic surgery.

1. Open surgery

This treatment is used for most inguinal hernias. It is done under general or local anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the groin. Then, he/she pushes back the herniated tissue into place and repairs the hernia by stitches. In many cases, the surgeons use a small piece of synthetic mesh material to reinforce the place and prevent another hernia.

2. Laparoscopic surgery

In this type of inguinal hernia repair, the surgeon makes three small incisions in the abdominal wall. Then, he/she inflates the abdomen with a harmless gas. Next, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope through the cuts. A laparoscope is a tiny tube-like and surgical instrument with a small video camera, used for diagnosis or therapeutic interventions.

While viewing on the monitor, the surgeon pushes back the inherited area into the place. He/she uses surgical staples in the herniated area to repair it.

This surgery’s long term success rate is lower compared to the open surgery.