- Procedure Time
30-45 minutes - Anaesthesia
Local or General - Overnight stay
Not needed - Recovery Time
2 weeks
Inguinal hernia accounts for 80% of abdominal wall hernias and is 3 times more common in men. Inguinal hernia emegers with swelling and pain. Surgery, which is the only treatment for inguinal hernia, can be performed either closed or open. Inguinal hernia occurs more frequently in those who work by standing for a long time and in some occupational groups.
What is Inguinal Hernia?
Inguinal hernia is the formation of swelling under the skin by the organs in the abdomen (such as small intestines, intestinal fat) coming out of the weak areas in the abdominal wall. In other words, inguinal hernia is the protrusion of the organs in the abdomen from under the skin to the outside.
How does the Inguinal Hernia occur?
It usually occurs due to reasons that increase intra-abdominal pressure such as straining, coughing, sneezing and straining. This problem is seen in 27% of men and 3% of women throughout their entire life. It is known that an average of 20 million people in the world have inguinal hernia surgery every year. The causes of inguinal hernia can be congenital or acquired.
It may occur as a result of heavy lifting, constipation, straining, old age, excessive weight gain or weakening, chronic cough, difficulty urinating and bowel movements.
It can also be acquired for many reasons such as pregnancy, decreased collagen synthesis, exercises that force the abdominal muscles, and smoking.
It is more common in those who stand for a long time (such as hairdressers and waitresses).
Inguinal hernia can occur very easily, especially in weight-training athletes.
Why is the Inguinal Hernia more common in men?
Congenitally, the inguinal canal of men is weaker than women. After the testicles are formed in the abdomen in the mother's womb, they descend from the inguinal canal to the scrotum. After birth, the inguinal canal closes. However, if the canal is not closed properly, weakness occurs in the abdominal region. For this reason, inguinal hernia is more common in boys than girls during infancy. In addition, men who work harder than women, because they lift heavy loads, inguinal hernia occurs more easily.
What are the sypmtoms of the Inguinal Hernia?
Inguinal hernias may not emerge with any symptoms in the initial stage. The person may not be aware of an inguinal hernia until it is noticed in the physician examination.
The most common symptom of inguinal hernia is swelling in the groin area and testicles. There may be pain and burning in the swelling area. In cases of increased intra-abdominal pressure, complaints increase and decrease when lying down. Pain may appear as cramps after meals,
Inguinal hernia can cause constipation. All these complaints actually occur when the intestines enter and exit the hernia sac temporarily. If the hernia comes out but does not go in, it means that the intestinal and intestinal oils inside are suffocated. This condition is defined as 'strangulated hernia', 'stuck hernia', 'incarcerated hernia', 'strangulated hernia'.
Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, gas and inability to urinate, abdominal bloating, fever, redness and bruising in the hernia area may occur. It is an emergency situation, the hernia should be repaired with emergency surgery and the blood supply of the intestine should be provided, otherwise, intestinal decay, perforation, peritonitis (inflammation of the peritonitis) will begin due to insufficient blood supply to the intestine.
How is the Inguinal Hernia treated?
Since inguinal hernias will not shrink or heal when they are left to their natural course, and there is no drug treatment, the only treatment is surgery when diagnosed. The purpose of hernia surgery is to place or remove the hernia sac where it should be in the abdomen. The aim is to close the partial defect that causes herniation and to strengthen it with mesh, that is, a patch, so that it does not happen again. It can be applied in the form of local anesthesia, general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia before the surgical treatment. Hernia operations can be performed with open or closed methods.
How are closed surgeries performed in Inguinal Hernia?
In closed methods, methods made between the peritoneum and the skin (TEP) or intra-abdominal (TAPP) methods are used. In recent years, hernia operations are performed as closed. If there is no adverse event (contraindicated), laparoscopic surgery may be preferred. Patients can eat, drink and stand up 5-6 hours after surgical treatment. They are followed in the hospital for one night and discharged the next day.
What are the advantages of closed surgery in Inguinal Hernia?
Since the recovery time is faster with closed surgery, the risk of infection is low.
While scars remain in open surgeries, the amount of scars is much less in closed surgeries.
While the pain level is low after closed surgeries, the pain level after open surgeries is high.
The recurrence rate of hernia is the same in closed and open surgeries. The technique used by surgeons is important to avoid the recurrence of hernia. The surgeries should be performed by expert and experienced surgeons.
Since the recovery is faster after closed surgeries, the return to normal life is earlier.
What should be considered afer Inguinal Hernia surgery?
Patients are advised not to lift more than 3 kilograms, not to be constipated, to take a break from heavy exercises, and to support the area while coughing and sneezing, as there will be patch adhesion within 3-6 months after the surgery. Rare complications such as hematoma, mesh infection and bruising in the testicles may develop after the surgery.
What happens if Inguinal Hernia is not treated?
The hernia grows over time and may descend into the scrotum.
As a result of the compression of the hernia, there may be a blockage in the intestine.
Knotting in the intestines, nausea, vomiting, severe pain and gas and inability to pass stool occur.
As a result of strangulation of the hernia, there is a possibility of development of gangrene as blood supply will be impaired. Gangrene is a life-threatening risk. As a result of gangrene, the intra-abdominal membrane may become inflamed or perforated. So it could be life threatening.
Is an Inguinal Hernia life-threatening?
Hernias that come out of the skin over time grow and cause pain and disrupt the comfort of life. In untreated hernias, there is a risk of strangulation of the intestine and other organs that enter it.
Does the patch used in Inguinal Hernia surgeries harm the body?
The quality of the patch used is important. Quality ones do not harm as they integrate with the body. However, in very rare cases, the patches may cause allergies and infection may occur. Patches should be determined according to the method of surgery and the person.
How many days after Inguinal Hernia surgery can I do sports?
You can swim 10 days after inguinal hernia surgery, and jog after 15 days. However, even after months, weight should not be lifted without strengthening the abdominal muscles.
Can Inguinal Hernia surgery be performed during pregnancy?
Since the abdominal wall expands during pregnancy, the patches used in hernia surgeries are an obstacle. For this, hernia operations should be performed after pregnancy.
Does hernia recur after Inguinal Hernia surgery?
The hernia may recur in the same area. The right physician and health center should be selected for surgery.