What is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia is a condition that occurs in the groin region of males associated with a defect in the lower abdominal wall. The hernia can either be indirect or direct. Hernias can occur in the groin (inguinal) area in different ways.
An indirect hernia occurs at time of birth. There is a defect (opening) in the tube through which the testicle migrates into the scrotum. Not infrequently the tube stays open, although in normal development it disappears on its own.As the person grows older, there comes a point where a bowel loop or a piece of fatty tissue gets pushed through the opening and ends up in the scrotum.
Conversely, a direct hernia is acquired during life rather than occurring at birth. The defect is directly in the abdominal wall and is associated with the quality of connective tissue and with how overweight the person is.
What are the signs and symptoms of an inguinal hernia?
A local piercing pain occurs when a hernia suddenly enlarges. The nerve (ileoingiunal nerve) located near the hernia can become irritated causing severe abdominal pain in the right or left lower abdominal wall and in the lower abdomen on the side where the hernia has developed. At the same time there is a bulging mass locally and if it is a big hernia, some of the mass might reach into the scrotum on the right or left side. Some of these hernias are the ones where a bowel loop might be caught in the abdominal wall opening and there is a danger of strangulation of the bowel.
How is an inguinal hernia treated?
A surgeon will carefully examine and determine whether or not the hernia can be pushed back. If it can, there is time to fix the hernia on an elective basis and the patient can wear a hernia truss prior to the surgery to prevent deterioration of the condition. However, if the hernia can’t be reduced, the condition is considered an emergency and needs to be treated immediately in an operating room. There are only 4 to 6 hours before the danger of irreversible gangrene of the bowel would set in.
Surgery involves the stapling of a plastic mesh over the hernia defect of the abdominal wall. Following surgery, patients are able to go home the same or following day.
For those cases where there is not an emergency but there is pain, an FDA-approved non-drug method (IceWave patches from Lifewave) is available to help control pain.
