Inguinal hernia presents as a bulge in the groin or the inguinal region or in the scrotum. This bulge becomes appreciable while coughing, straining or standing; meaning it is not constant but is variable depending on the intra-abdominal pressure. Most times the bulge disappears on lying down and is rarely painful.

An asymptomatic hernia presents as a swelling in the inguinal region with a sense of aching. There is no actual pain or tenderness when examined and it is seen that the swelling increases with the increase in abdominal pressure. These are the usual characteristics of an asymptomatic inguinal hernia [10]. If the hernia does not reduce or cannot be manipulated into the abdomen via the fascial defect, then it could be an incarcerated hernia. It is often associated with nausea, vomiting and may have symptoms of blocked bowels.

When the blood supply to a part of intestines entangled in the hernia are obstructed, then it is termed as strangulated hernia. In such cases the patient presents with the symptoms of incarcerated hernia accompanied with toxic appearance as a result of toxicity caused due to gut ischemia. The patient might present with nausea/vomiting, fever and chills since a bacterial infection might supervene on the ischemic bowels of a strangulated hernia.

In infants, the lone symptom could be increased irritability, whereas in older children and adults it is presented by dull aching or burning pain that is aggravated by straining or exercise.

• Inguinal Hernia

  The protrusion of a sac-like structure containing fibroadipose tissue through an abnormal opening in the inguinal region. 550 Inguinal hernia 550.0 Inguinal hernia with gangrene 550.00 Inguinal hernia, with gangrene, unilateral or unspecified (not specified [icd9data.com]

  It is estimted that up to 75% of all abdominal hernias are Inguinal Hernias making this the most common form of a Hernia. The Inguinal hernia is more common in men than women. [web.archive.org]

  Inguinal hernia Diagram of an indirect, scrotal inguinal hernia (median view from the left). [en.wikipedia.org]

  The 41-patient asymptomatic control group included 3 patients with direct inguinal hernias, 2 with indirect inguinal hernias, and 3 with femoral hernias. CONCLUSION: Inguinal hernias are a major component of groin pain in athletes. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Previous inguinal hernia or hernia repair. Even if your previous hernia occurred in childhood, you're at higher risk of developing another inguinal hernia. Complications Complications of an inguinal hernia include: Pressure on surrounding tissues. [mayoclinic.org]

• Swelling

  KEYWORDS: Echinococcosis; Groin swelling; Hernial sac; Hydatid cyst; Inguinal canal; Zoonosis [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Situations that may require further testing: There is pain or discomfort in the groin with no obvious swelling The swelling is not reducible and does not go back when you lie down Inguinal Hernia Surgery Timeline At London Hernia we offer rapid access [londonhernia.co.uk]

  The amount of fluid and swelling often gets larger and smaller throughout the day. [texaschildrens.org]

  – refer to Scrotal pain or swelling. [pch.health.wa.gov.au]

  You may see or feel a lump, bulge or swelling under the skin. It may be a bit uncomfortable. The swelling will often disappear completely when you lie down, as the contents of the hernia sac slip back through the hole into the abdomen. [hernia.org]

• Asymptomatic

  Surgery was successful in returning these athletes to sport: 39 of 42 (93%) athletes with groin pain and inguinal hernia became asymptomatic. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The role of watchful waiting in older male patients with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia is still not well-established. [Insights.ovid.com]

  Asymptomatic inguinal hernias in men can be observed; if symptoms develop, they can be repaired electively. Repair may be through a standard incision or laparoscopically. [merckmanuals.com]

• Inguinal Mass

  We report a rare case of a 41-year-old male patient with a spermatic cord leiomyoma that presented as an inguinal canal mass mimicking an irreducible inguinal hernia without scrotal involvement. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Inguinal masses that resemble hernias may be the result of adenopathy (infectious or malignant), an ectopic testis, or lipoma. These masses are solid and are not reducible. A scrotal mass may be a varicocele, hydrocele, or testicular tumor. [merckmanuals.com]

  mass; may be enlarging; systemic symptoms or weight loss Psoas abscess Flank or back pain, fever, inguinal mass, limp, weight loss Sebaceous cyst Soft mass, nontender, more superficial, no change with Valsalva maneuver Testicular torsion Acute onset [aafp.org]

• Nausea

  It has a side effect that includes, but is not limited to, nausea and constipation. [nychernia.com]

  Some patients get crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting or constipation. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are alarming symptoms because they may be a sign of an immediately life threatening complication such as bowel strangulation. [noinsurancesurgery.com]

  An 85-year-old male complained of bowel movement pattern change, abdominal distension and loss of weight, without vomiting but with nausea. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The patient might present with nausea/vomiting, fever and chills since a bacterial infection might supervene on the ischemic bowels of a strangulated hernia. [symptoma.com]

  If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, it can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas. Strangulation. [mayoclinic.org]

• Abdominal Pain

  INTRODUCTION: Torsion of the omentum is a rare cause of abdominal pain. It is clinically similar to common causes of acute surgical abdomen and is often diagnosed during surgery. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  EMERGENCY Severe lower abdominal pain warrants immediate medical care; it may be a sign of intestinal obstruction or strangulation. [healthcommunities.com]

  With small hernias pain may be the only symptom. This pain may be anywhere from the kidney to the testicle. Some patients get crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting or constipation. [noinsurancesurgery.com]

• Abdominal Bloating

  A hernia that cannot be pushed back can be repaired when surgery is convenient unless you have increased pain, redness of the overlying skin, fever, nausea and vomiting, or abdominal bloating. [healthlinkbc.ca]

• Abdominal Mass

  The animation of the surgery shows the placement of the laparoscopic devices, location of the herniated abdominal mass, and placement of mesh graft to strengthen the fascia of the abdominal wall. Caption author (English) Category [youtube.com]

  Patients who present with a history of a severe pain, associated with an inflamed lower abdominal mass should be evaluated emergently for incarceration of abdominal contents within a hernia. [jomi.com]

  The ultrasound scan will allow the doctor to visualize the hernia and to make sure that the bulge is not another type of abdominal mass such as a tumor or enlarged lymph gland. [surgeryencyclopedia.com]

• Abdominal Distension

  An 85-year-old male complained of bowel movement pattern change, abdominal distension and loss of weight, without vomiting but with nausea. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Stoppa 11 proposed that aggravating factors such as obesity or abdominal distension should upgrade the patient by one Nyhus level.11 Higher severity generally means a higher risk of recurrence, and an appropriate classification may support the management [effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov]

• Cheilitis

  […] dysfágia, ezofagitída, cheilóza, ingvinálna hernia, pobolievanie brucha, polypy žalúdka, rektálny polyp, rektálny vred, ulcerácie v ústach, ulcerózna kolitída, zápal pery, žalúdočný dyskomfort English Abdominal tenderness, anal fissure, anal spasm, cheilitis [mymemory.translated.net]

• Ulcer

  English Not known: gastrointestinal ulcer perforation, retroperitoneal haemorrhage, haematemesis, gastric ulcer, oesophagitis ulcerative, subileus, enterocolitis, haemorrhoids, hiatus hernia, rectal haemorrhage, gingivitis. [mymemory.translated.net]

  Bilious fluid secondary to peptic ulcer perforation and spontaneous biliary perforation[ 8 ] and pancreatic fluid collections secondary to pancreatitis enter the inguinal hernial sac through the internal ring. [casesjournal.biomedcentral.com]

  Also, there are strapping techniques available to contain the hernia; however, they are not recommended for use because the tape could cause an ulceration of the skin covering the hernia.[1] During the acute phase when the hernia is small in size, it [physio-pedia.com]

  In addition, Roux-en-Y reconstruction after distal gastrectomy for cancer or ulcer is still widely used. Therefore, a surgeon may be confronted with a partially- gastrectomized patient who needs a PD. [giornalechirurgia.it]

• Arthritis

  Septic arthritis in a prosthetic joint (septic arthritis in a native joint is allowed) b. Osteomyelitis c. Endocarditis or myocarditis d. Meningitis, endophthalmitis, or any central nervous system infection 2. [clinicaltrialsregister.eu]

  Drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications (arthritis medications) and Vitamin E may need to be stopped temporarily for several days to a week prior to surgery. [sages.org]

  Case 3—Third diagnostic term Four experts gave a third term to describe the diagnosis in case 2: One pubic cleft arthritis, 1 transversus abdominis strain, 1 tear of the posterior inguinal wall and 1 combination of multiple (>2) diagnoses. [bjsm.bmj.com]

• Irritability

  If irritated, there may be pain or hypersensitivity experienced along the lateral thigh. [nychernia.com]

  […] in the scrotum, groin swelling may contain the retractile or undescended testis resembling a hernia In girls, an ovary may be present in the hernia sac (risk of torsion/infarction); do not attempt reduction Infants with incarcerated hernia are often irritable [pch.health.wa.gov.au]

  When a hernia becomes incarcerated, infants or children will show signs of irritability and may vomit. They may also have loss of appetite, abnormal bowel patterns, and / or tenderness of the groin area and swelling of the abdomen. [cincinnatichildrens.org]

  He or she might be irritable and have less appetite than usual. In an older child, a hernia is likely to be more apparent when the child coughs, strains during a bowel movement or stands for a long period. [mayoclinic.org]

• Testicular Swelling

  Symptoms of ischemic orchitis include painful testicular swelling and fever commencing 2-3 days after surgery. [65] A study comparing heavyweight and lightweight meshes for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in men found that the use of lightweight mesh [emedicine.medscape.com]

The diagnosis is generally made by a thorough physical examination. Usually, laboratory studies are not specific for hernia but some of them can be useful as follows:

• Complete blood count: Results aren’t specific, but leukocytosis with left shift can be seen in case of strangulation.
• Electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen levels (BUN), and creatinine levels must be assessed. In case of patients presenting with nausea and vomiting, it is mandatory to determine their hydration status and these tests are a prerequisite for operating hernia.
• Urinalysis: It helps in ruling out any other genitourinary cause leading to groin pain along with hernia.
• Lactate levels: Raised levels can be due to hypoperfusion but normal levels do not rule out strangulation.

Imaging studies

• Radiography: Chest radiograph taken when the patient is standing straight helps to rule out free air under the diaphragm.
• Flat and upright abdominal radiographs help in diagnosing a small bowel obstruction or to know the portion of bowel that is outside the abdominal cavity. Both these radiographs are helpful in cases of suspicious incarcerated or strangulated hernias.
• CT scan: CT scan of abdomen and pelvis along with oral and intravenous contrast helps in detecting various hernias that are otherwise difficult to diagnose by displaying extracoelomic position of the bowel, bladder or internal reproductive organs [11].
• Ultrasonography: It helps in restricting the differential diagnoses for scrotal masses as well as those beneath the inguinal ligament. It also helps in deciding whether to drain or aspirate a nodal abscess if present.

These imaging studies become necessary when the patient’s body habitus prevents physical examination.

• Rectal Ulcer

  duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, dysphagia, gastric polyps, inguinal hernia, mouth ulceration, oesophagitis, oral pain, rectal polyp, rectal ulcer, stomach discomfort Last Update: 2017-04-26 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Slovak Perzistujúca pľúcna hypertenzia [mymemory.translated.net]

• Polyps

  rektálny vred, ulcerácie v ústach, ulcerózna kolitída, zápal pery, žalúdočný dyskomfort English Abdominal tenderness, anal fissure, anal spasm, cheilitis, cheilosis, colitis ulcerative, duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, dysphagia, gastric polyps, inguinal [mymemory.translated.net]

• Colitis

  cheilóza, ingvinálna hernia, pobolievanie brucha, polypy žalúdka, rektálny polyp, rektálny vred, ulcerácie v ústach, ulcerózna kolitída, zápal pery, žalúdočný dyskomfort English Abdominal tenderness, anal fissure, anal spasm, cheilitis, cheilosis, colitis [mymemory.translated.net]

Conservative

A hernia truss helps in keeping the reducible inguinal hernia in the abdomen. It does not cure the condition but if the pads are hard and invade the hernial opening they can lead to scarring and widening of the hole. Due to the pressure, the trusses can cause injury to the skin or bowel and conceal the signs of an incarcerated and strangulated hernia. The truss also increases the chances of complications like strangulation, degeneration of the spermatic cord and the fascial margins. It might lead to enlargement of the defect thereby making the repair tough [12].

Surgical

Herniorrhaphy: In this procedure, an incision is made in the groin region to push the protruding intestine back into the abdomen. Then the weakened or damaged muscle is sewed or strengthened and supported with the help of a synthetic mesh.

Laparoscopic hernioplasty: This is a less invasive procedure where the operation is done via many tiny incisions on the abdomen. This procedure causes minimal discomfort and scarring. It helps the patient to recover faster. It is a good option for those who suffer from recurrence of the hernia after the traditional hernia surgery as the surgeon can bypass the scar tissue formed due to the prior repair. It is a better option for bilateral inguinal hernia.

Hernia surgery is quite safe and effective. It has a good prognosis but depending on the site, size, and technique used, few hernias can recur over a period of time.

Once open surgery is done, the patient can get back to routine activities in a week or two, whereas in case of laparoscopic surgery the recovery is faster. After the surgery, patient should keep away from heavy lifting for few weeks so that the muscle and tissues can recover completely.

Indirect hernia is a congenital hernia irrespective of the patient’s age.

Direct inguinal hernias occur due to increased pressure within the abdomen, aging, stress or strain weakening the abdominal muscles around the inguinal canal, exertion during bowel movements, heavy lifting, obesity, pregnancy, chronic coughing and sneezing, prior surgeries over lower abdomen that may weaken abdominal muscles.

Around 10% of the population develops some form of hernia during their life [1]. From about 1 million abdominal hernia repairs, 770,000 cases are of inguinal hernia repair [2] [3] [4]. A lifetime risk of developing inguinal hernia is more in men i.e. 27% whereas in women is just 3% [5].

Of all the inguinal hernias 50% are indirect whereas 25% are direct [6]. Indirect inguinal hernias are common in premature babies especially those that are born before 32 weeks of gestation [3], whereas direct hernias are seen in older patients due to relaxation of the abdominal wall muscles and thinning of the fascia.

Inguinal hernias are divided into two types - direct and indirect.

Direct: This type of hernia generally occurs due to a fault or weakness in the transversalis fascia region of the Hesselbach triangle in the abdomen. This triangle is formed by the inguinal ligament at the base, inferior epigastric arteries on the lateral side and the conjoint tendon medially [7].

Indirect: The indirect inguinal hernia pursues the tract via the inguinal canal. It is the outcome of a persistent processus vaginalis. Origin of the inguinal canal is within the abdominal cavity, at the opening of the internal inguinal ring, which is nearly midway between the symphysis pubis and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). From here it goes down together with the inguinal ligament to the external inguinal ring present on the medial side of inferior epigastric arteries. The contents of hernia go downwards into the scrotal sac through the passage of the testicle [6] [8] [9].

Rarely inguinal hernias can be prevented, particularly in younger patients. In adults it might be prevented from occurring or recurring by taking following precautions:

• Maintain healthy weight: Overweight causes an increase in the abdominal pressure and thereby increases the risk of developing inguinal hernia. Follow proper diet and exercise regimen to maintain healthy weight. Avoid sudden weight loss by dieting as it leads to weakness of the abdominal muscles due to lack of protein and vitamin intake.
• Quit smoking: Smoking leads to chronic coughing and hence increases the chances of developing hernia.
• Have high fiber diet: This helps in preventing constipation and hence avoids straining while emptying the bowels. Straining for bowels increases the intra-abdominal pressure.
• Take care while lifting heavy weights. While lifting weights bend your knees not the waist.
• Do not depend on a truss: It helps in keeping the hernia in place but does not cure the situation. It can be used for a short time, till you decide about the surgery.

Inguinal hernia is defined as out-pocketing of the contents of the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal. This protrusion results into a bulge that can be painful especially when one bends over, coughs or lifts heavy objects.

Inguinal hernias can be classified into direct and indirect inguinal hernia depending on the cause of hernia.

Inguinal hernia is a condition that occurs when the contents of abdomen protrude into the inguinal region of the lower abdomen due to a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall.

Birth defects in the abdominal wall cause direct inguinal hernias while aging and stress or strain that weaken the abdominal muscles leads to indirect inguinal hernia. Both these hernias can be repaired by surgical procedures. If the hernias are left untreated, they may lead to strangulation which is a surgical emergency.

Although hernias are difficult to avoid, but various lifestyle changes like maintaining healthy weight, avoiding crash dieting, high fibre diet, avoid smoking etc can help in recurrence. Wearing truss can help keeping the hernia within the abdomen, but it is not the cure. It gives temporary relief from the symptoms and provides greater confidence while performing any physically demanding activities. Just use them for a short time before surgery.

1. Ruhl CE, Everhart JE. Risk factors for inguinal hernia among adults in the US population. Am J Epidemiol. 2007 May 15;165(10):1154-61.
2. Fitch MT, Manthey DE. Abdominal hernia reduction. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR. (Eds.) Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 6th Ed. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2014, pp 877- 79.
3. Brandt ML. Pediatric hernias. Surg Clin North Am. 2008 Feb;88(1):27-43, vii-viii.
4. Rutkow IM, Robbins AW. Demographic, classificatory, and socioeconomic aspects of hernia repair in the United States. Surg Clin North Am. 1993 Jun;73(3):413-26.
5. Jenkins JT, O'Dwyer PJ. Inguinal hernias. BMJ. 2008 Feb 2; 336 (7638): 269–272.
6. Katz DA. Evaluation and management of inguinal and umbilical hernias. Pediatr Ann. 2001 Dec;30(12):729-35.
7. Scherer LR 3rd, Grosfeld JL. Inguinal hernia and umbilical anomalies. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1993 Dec;40(6):1121-31.
8. Levine BJ, Nabha S, Bouzoukis JK. Chronic inguinal hernia. J Emerg Med. 1999 May-Jun ;17(3):515-6.
9. Matthews RD, Neumayer L. Inguinal hernia in the 21st century: an evidence-based review. Curr Probl Surg. 2008 Apr;45(4):261-312.
10. Mizrahi H, Parker MC. Management of asymptomatic inguinal hernia: a systematic review of the evidence. Arch Surg. 2012 Mar;147(3):277-81.
11. Toms AP, Dixon AK, Murphy JM, Jamieson NV. Illustrated review of new imaging techniques in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias. Br J Surg. 1999 Oct;86(10):1243-9.
12. Purkayastha S, Chow A, Athanasiou T, Tekkis P, Darzi A. Inguinal hernia. Clin Evid (Online) 2008 Jul 16;2008 pii: 0412.