Inguinal Hernia: Causes, Risks, and Treatments

1
Inguinal Hernia Causes, Risks, and Treatments

• This presentation explains everything about
  Inguinal Hernia - its causes, symptoms, risks and
  effective surgical options.

2
All you need to know about Inguinal Hernia
Causes, Risks, and Treatments

• An inguinal hernia develops when a portion of the
  abdominal cavity protrudes into the inguinal
  canal (in the groin region). Often, people
  suffering from the condition notice a visible
  bulge at the groin, along with pain, burning
  sensation, tenderness and difficulty in lifting
  objects.
• In males, the weak spot is around the inguinal
  canal where the spermatic cord usually goes into
  the scrotum. In women, the inguinal canal has
  ligamental support to hold the uterus in its
  place.

Inguinal hernia in women develops when the tissue
connecting the uterus is attached to the tissues
of the pubic bone. It is a fact that
approximately 25 of males can suffer from
inguinal hernia at some point in their lives. The
occurrence of inguinal hernia in women is very
less, i.e. only 2. Since hernia is quite
prevalent, it is better to know the causes and
risk factors for the condition. This would help
you take proper preventive steps accordingly
before the condition becomes severe.
3
What are the causes of inguinal hernia?

• There is no specific cause for inguinal hernia. A
  combination of the following risk factors can
  result in a hernia
• Chronic coughing or sneezing
• Increased abdominal pressure
• Excessive straining during bowel movements
• Physically strenuous activities or exercises
• A weak muscular spot in the lower abdomen
• History of hernia in family
• Constant pressure on the lower abdomen due to
• previous hernia surgery

4
What are the risks or complications of inguinal
hernia?

• Leaving a hernia untreated or unattended for a
  long time can increase the chances of
  complications.
• Two major risks or complications can occur with
  an inguinal hernia
• Incarceration - Incarceration of a hernia is a
  condition in which its contents get trapped in a
  weak spot in the wall of the abdomen. An
  incarcerated hernia can lead to obstruction of
  the bowel, nausea, vomiting, excruciating pain,
  and bloating.

Strangulation Strangulation occurs when the
blood supply to the hernia is reduced or cut off
due to excessive pressure exerted by it on the
blood vessels. It can often cause the death of
the tissues to which sufficient blood does not
reach. Hence, a strangulated hernia can be
life-threatening and needs immediate surgery.
These potentially fatal risks of long-standing
hernia in the groin region can be avoided by
seeking treatment at the earliest.
5
Treatments for inguinal hernia
Hernia in the groin does not disappear on its own
and can only be fixed through proper medical
care. Remedies and medications may only bring
temporary symptomatic relief. Thus, to completely
cure the condition, surgical repair is required.
Two types of surgeries for inguinal hernia
repair are

• Open inguinal hernia repair surgery - In the
  conventional open procedure, one long incision is
  carried out in the groin area. If the hernia is
  bulging out, it is pushed back into its original
  position. Or, if the hernia is going into the
  inguinal canal, the entire hernia sac is tied off
  and then removed. In cases, where hernias are
  present on both sides, another incision is needed
  to repair the other bulge. The open surgery is
  performed under general or local anesthesia
  (depending upon the patients condition). Thus,
  the procedure is not very painful for the
  patient.

6
Treatments for inguinal hernia

• Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery -
  Laparoscopic surgery is an advanced technique to
  repair a hernia in a minimally invasive manner.
  In the laparoscopic procedure, 2-4 small
  incisions are made on the abdomen and thus it is
  also called keyhole surgery.
• It is performed with the help of a camera-fitted
  instrument called a laparoscope. The laparoscope
  is inserted through one of the incisions to
  visualize the hernia. CO2 is used to make the
  abdominal cavity inflated so that the surgeon can
  repair the bulge. A surgical mesh patch is also
  placed to strengthen the repaired area. Hernia
  surgeries that involve the use of mesh patches
  are also known as hernioplasty. Doctors recommend
  laparoscopic surgery to hernia patients as its
  minimally invasive nature allows the patient to
  recover faster. The success rate of laparoscopic
  hernia repair is very high in comparison to
  conventional surgery and the risk of post-surgery
  complications is also very less.

7
Risks of hernia surgery

• Though hernia repair surgeries are usually safe,
  there are some potential risks associated.
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Infection and bleeding at the site of the surgery
• Damage or injury to the neighboring tissues
• Injury to the vas deferens (cord that carries
  sperm from testes to the penis)
• Numbness of the operated area of the skin
• These risks or complications of a hernia surgery
  can be reduced to almost nil by ensuring these
  two things
• Opt for advanced laparoscopic surgery that
  requires minimal access to the body and hence
  carries lower chances of risks.
• Choose only an experienced and trained surgeon
  with a great track record of successful surgeries.

8
Final Words

• An inguinal hernia can prevent you from carrying
  on with your daily activities and
  responsibilities, do not neglect the condition.
  Consult a hernia specialist near you for proper
  diagnosis and treatment before any complication
  arises.