Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia occurs when as a protruding of the contents of the abdomen through a hole in the groin musculature, in males, this hole allows the passage of the spermatic cord, and in women, the passage of the uterine round ligament. It appears as a lump in the groin that can be painful and lead to life-threatening complications if it is not treated timely. Inguinal hernia repair is one of the procedures most commonly performed all around the globe.

Risk factors: there are reported many risk factors in literature, but the most important is smoking, this leads to a deficient production of a protein called collagen that gives strength and resistance to the abdominal wall muscles; other risk factors as heavy lifting, excercise, pregnancy, constipation, or chronic coughing, are considered as medium risk factors, for developing an inguinal hernia.

Main symptoms: the are some inguinal hernias that can be asymptomatic, but is most common to present any level of pain, discomfort, a lump in the groin that gets bigger at ht upright position, cough, sneezing, strain, lifting heavy things, also there may be some swelling in the groin or testicle, the bulge may become smaller at rest or bending over. 

Diagnosis: although there some many exams that can give a result of a groin hernia, physical examination by a hernia surgeon is mandatory, to know the exact type of inguinal hernia and the possibilities for repair, ultrasound can be performed at the office if your surgeon counts with the equipment and abilities to do it.

Treatment: surgery is mandatory for all cases of symptomatic inguinal hernia, the exact type of surgery and need for a mesh, needs to be discussed with your surgeon in consultation, there are many techniques and methods for a safe repair, your surgeon must choose the one that is best for you; alternative treatments, like hernia belts, capsules, or even teas, are not recommended, cause there is no evidence that supports its use. Watchful waiting is recommended only in small and asymptomatic inguinal hernias, always under surgeon surveillance.

Prognosis: with an adequate procedure, recovery is expected en 10 to 21 days, according to every patient and surgeon´s expertise in hernia repair, although it is a safe procedure, care must be taken at the time of surgery to avoid intra and postoperative complications, this is the importance to choose a surgeon with expertise in abdominal wall surgery.

When to see a doctor?: you must visit a doctor at the time of any symptomatic inguinal hernia or the suspicion of it. Timely surgery avoids complications and have better outcomes than emergency surgery.