Inguinal hernias can be repaired through hernia surgery, which involves pushing the swelling back into place and strengthening the weakness in the abdominal wall. The goal is to close the partial defect that causes the hernia and reinforce it with a patch to prevent recurrence.
✓What is Inguinal Hernia?
Inguinal hernia is the protrusion of tissues or organs such as small intestines and intestinal fat from weak areas in the abdominal wall, creating a swelling under the skin. In simple terms, inguinal hernia is the condition where organs from inside the abdomen protrude under the skin and become prominent. The swelling that occurs in inguinal hernia causes pain, especially when the person coughs, bends, or lifts a heavy object.
✓Inguinal hernia, a disease that occurs 3 times more frequently in men than in women, develops as a result of factors such as obesity, advanced age, constipation, chronic cough, weakening of connective tissues, smoking, and pregnancy. People with such diseases and problems have a higher risk of developing inguinal hernia.
✓Prominent swelling that occurs on both sides of the pubic bone, pain and burning when coughing with the swelling, and a sensation of pressure and looseness in the groin are among the characteristic symptoms of inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia, which is the most common type of hernia, may involve different treatment methods depending on the stage and severity of the hernia, but the main treatment for inguinal hernia is inguinal hernia surgery. Inguinal hernia surgeries are performed either as open or closed procedures.
✓What are the Types of Inguinal Hernia?
Although inguinal hernia is classified within itself as direct, indirect, and femoral hernia, obturator hernias are also seen.
✓Indirect hernias are frequently encountered in the community, occur at any age, and carry the risk of descent to the testicles.
✓Direct hernias, as can be understood from their name, are hernias that emerge directly from weak areas of the abdominal wall and have an increasing risk of occurrence as age advances.
✓Femoral hernias, on the other hand, are rarer. They are more common in women and the risk of strangulation of the hernia is higher compared to other types of hernias.
✓Causes Leading to Inguinal Hernia
An open spot present at birth
✓Advanced age
✓Obesity
✓Chronic cough and sneezing
✓Straining due to constipation
✓Intense exercise
✓Weakness in connective tissues
✓Pregnancy
✓Smoking consumption
✓Jobs requiring prolonged standing
✓Symptoms of Inguinal Hernia
The most common symptom of inguinal hernia is swelling in the groin, which becomes visible especially when coughing, sneezing, or during straining or standing upright. Common symptoms include pain, burning and pressure sensation in the swelling area, nausea, vomiting, fever, and inability to pass gas.
✓General symptoms of inguinal hernia are as follows:
✓Swelling on both sides of the pubic bone that becomes prominent with coughing, sneezing, straining, and standing upright
✓Pain and burning at the prominence on the pubic bone
✓Heaviness and pressure in the groin
✓Redness and bruising in the hernia area
✓Abdominal bloating
✓Nausea and vomiting
✓Fever
✓Inability to pass gas
✓How is Inguinal Hernia Treatment Performed?
Since inguinal hernias will not shrink or heal when left to their natural course and there is no medication treatment, once diagnosed, the only treatment is inguinal hernia surgery. The aim in hernia surgery is to place the hernia sac back into the abdomen (belly) where it should be or to remove it.
✓The goal is to close the partial defect causing herniation and to reinforce it with a mesh or patch so it does not occur again. Before surgical treatment, local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or spinal anesthesia can be applied. Hernia surgeries are operations that can be performed using open or closed methods.
✓Inguinal Hernia Surgery
Inguinal hernias can be repaired with inguinal hernia surgery performed to push the bulge back into place and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall. With inguinal hernia surgery, this repair can be accomplished in 2 ways:
✓Open surgery: The place where an incision is made to allow the surgeon to push the bulge back into the abdomen
✓Closed surgery: Also known as laparoscopic surgery, inguinal hernia surgery is a less invasive but more difficult technique in which several small incisions are made, allowing the surgeon to use technical equipment to repair the hernia.
✓Both inguinal hernia surgery methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. The type of surgery is personalized and depends on the experience of the surgeon performing the procedure.
How does inguinal hernia occur?
Inguinal hernia is a bulge that forms in the groin area, the region between the lower part of the abdomen and the thigh. Inguinal hernia is a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue such as fat or intestinal loops, or abdominal contents such as the small intestine, protrude outward through an opening in the lower abdominal wall. The cause of inguinal hernia is weakening of the muscles in the lower abdominal region.
How are closed surgeries performed for inguinal hernia?
In closed methods, techniques performed between the abdominal membrane and skin (TEP) or from within the abdomen (TAPP) are used. In recent years, hernia surgeries are performed using closed methods. If there are no contraindications, laparoscopic surgery may be preferred. Patients can eat and drink and get up 5-6 hours after surgical treatment and are monitored in the hospital for one night, then discharged the next day.
What is the hospital stay duration?
Patients are monitored in the hospital for one night and discharged the next day.
What are the advantages of closed surgeries for inguinal hernia?
There are several advantages to closed surgeries for inguinal hernia. These advantages are low infection risk, minimal scarring, low pain level, and faster post-operative recovery.
What happens if inguinal hernia is not treated?
In scenarios where inguinal hernia is not treated, the hernia may grow over time and descend into the scrotum, intestinal obstruction may occur, pain, gas, and inability to pass stool may develop. Additionally, due to impaired blood circulation as a result of hernia strangulation, the risk of gangrene may increase.
Where does the pain from inguinal hernia radiate?
The pain resulting from inguinal hernia is generally felt in the groin, lower back, and abdominal area. In men, pain in the testicles is a determining factor.
What happens if inguinal hernia ruptures?
Although hernia rupture is not commonly seen, when it occurs, the patient must be taken to emergency surgery immediately.
Why is inguinal hernia more common in men?
By nature, the inguinal canal in men is weaker than in women. In the mother's womb, after the testicles form in the abdomen, they descend through the inguinal canal toward the scrotum. After birth, the inguinal canal closes. However, if the canal does not close properly, weakness develops in the abdominal area. For this reason, inguinal hernia is more common in male infants compared to female children.
Is inguinal hernia life-threatening?
Over time, hernias that protrude outside the skin grow and cause pain, thus reducing quality of life. In untreated hernias, there is a risk of strangulation of the intestine and other organs that enter the hernia.
Does the mesh (graft) used in inguinal hernia surgeries harm the body?
The quality of the mesh used is important. High-quality ones do not cause harm because they integrate with the body. However, in very rare cases, meshes may cause allergies or infection. Meshes should be determined according to the surgical method and the individual.
Can inguinal hernia recur after surgery?
Inguinal hernias can recur from the same area.