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Inguinal Hernias are the most common type of abdominal hernia seen by hernia surgeons. They are located in the groin area and are more common in men. As with all hernias, surgical repair or hernia surgery is required to fix them since they don’t go away on their own.
Many patients ask “what is an inguinal hernia?” or “how does an inguinal hernia form?”. We hope that by reading the information below, that patients can understand more about inguinal hernias.
Many patients ask “what is an inguinal hernia?” or “how does an inguinal hernia form?”. We hope that by reading the information below, that patients can understand more about inguinal hernias.
The Basics Of An Inguinal Hernia:
Inguinal hernias, also known as groin hernias, are when the intestines or fat push through the muscles into the inguinal canal. This is the layer of muscles in the groin which houses the spermatic cord in men, or the round ligament in women. The hernia can be directly through the muscle (direct inguinal hernia) or the hernia can follow the round ligament or spermatic cord through it’s indirect path as they exit the abdomen (indirect inguinal hernia).Up to 75% of abdominal hernias are inguinal hernias. They can be found in men and women, but more commonly in men due to the fact that men have a larger opening in the abdominal wall because of the spermatic cord. Inguinal hernias often develop as small bulge that enlarges over time. The bulge may disappear while lying down and return with activity. (pading needed here 50px)
Symptoms Of An Inguinal Hernia:
Like most other hernias, pain in the groin is one of the most common symptoms. Also, due to the fat and intestines pushing through the hernia, a bulge can often form under the skin. This bulge can get bigger and smaller depending on what is in the hernia.Over time, if the hernia gets large enough, the intestine can get permanently trapped, which can lead to damage to the intestine, as well as other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Read more about symptoms HERE.
How Are Inguinal Hernias Repaired?
Since no hernia can heal on its own, surgical repair is required. Options for hernia repair include open surgery, and laparoscopic surgery. Both options are well studied and have excellent outcomes. No one option is right for all patients which is why we feel it is important to offer BOTH to patients. Learn more HERE.A laparoscopic inguinal hernia requires a 1-2cm incision at the belly button, and two smaller punctures below the umbilicus. The belly button incision allows the camera to view the inside of the abdomen and the two smaller punctures are for the operating instruments.
We perform a tension free mesh repair technique utilizing the latest mesh available. Mesh helps prevent recurrences after the hernia repair by strengthening the muscle around the hernia defect. Learn more HERE.
Inguinal hernias are caused by a hole in the muscle of the groin. This hole can either be lateral to the blood vessels (indirect inguinal hernia), or towards the middle from the blood vessels (direct inguinal hernia). Regardless, in open surgery, the muscle layers over the weakened muscle are opened. The hole (or holes) in the muscle are found. A dual sided mesh is used to reinforce the hernia defect and the muscle around the hole.
The dual mesh allows one layer (with the blue circles) to be placed under the muscle, while the other top layer is placed over the damaged muscle. With this type of repair, the weakened muscles are treated from both the inside AND the outside of the hole. This cannot be done in laparoscopic surgery since only an inner layer mesh can be used.
Inguinal hernias are caused by a hole in the muscle of the groin. This hole can either be lateral to the blood vessels (indirect inguinal hernia), or towards the middle from the blood vessels (direct inguinal hernia). Regardless, in open surgery, the muscle layers over the weakened muscle are opened. The hole (or holes) in the muscle are found. A dual sided mesh is used to reinforce the hernia defect and the muscle around the hole.
The dual mesh allows one layer (with the blue circles) to be placed under the muscle, while the other top layer is placed over the damaged muscle. With this type of repair, the weakened muscles are treated from both the inside AND the outside of the hole. This cannot be done in laparoscopic surgery since only an inner layer mesh can be used.