Inguinal Hernia

An inguinal hernia is a condition where a part of the intestine protrudes out of the abdomen through a defect in the abdominal wall. Inguinal hernias affect people of all ages and are more common in men compared to women.

An inguinal hernia is a bulge that forms when a part of your small intestine or fatty tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the groin or into the scrotum or testicular sac.

Inguinal hernias cause discomfort and sharp pain which may be worsened with increased activity and relieved on rest. Patients may also experience a burning or gurgling sensation at the site of the hernia. The pain tends to be worse in the evening than in the morning.

Treatment for Inguinal Hernia

Treatment for inguinal hernia is usually surgery, performed under general anaesthesia. A small incision is made on the groin’s skin fold to identify the bulged intestine. Your child’s surgeon then gently pushes the intestine back into its proper position behind the muscle wall. The hernia sac is removed, and the incision is closed with stitches to prevent a recurrence.

Inguinal hernias are of two types:

• Indirect inguinal hernias – Indirect inguinal hernia often affects premature infants when it is caused because of the non-closure of the inguinal canal and is a congenital disorder. It is also the most common acquired hernia in both men and women.
• Direct inguinal hernias – Direct inguinal hernia is common in adult males and is caused because of degeneration of tissues in the abdominal muscles.