The inguinal hernia occurs when an abdominal tissue, usually an intestinal fragment, protrudes through an anatomical canal forming a bulge in the groin area. Hernias are 90% frequent in men and only 10% in women. They can be induced by congenital or genetically factors or can be provoked by heavy lifting, obesity or chronic coughing.



The danger of hernias is the possibility to become strangled, cut off the blood supply of an intestinal fragment and cause its death. Untreated hernias can lead to gangrenes and peritonitis can become uncomfortable or create discomfort during bowel movements.

A less common procedure is the repair of the weak abdominal area by using stitches. The most frequent intervention is open surgery when the surgeon reduces the hernia and places a synthetic sterile material inside the abdomen to ensure proper held. More modern, hernias are operated by laparoscopic means using more but smaller abdominal incisions. All interventions can be performed under general or local anesthesia according to the surgeon and the patient's needs.

Both procedures take about half an hour and the patient is advised not to eat or drink before the intervention. The classical incision is about 10cm long, the herniated tissue is pushed back into the abdominal cavity and the formed gap is closed with stitches or by placing a synthetic material to protect the abdominal wall. After the procedure, the abdomen is closed back on layer with stitches.

After normal interventions with no further complications, patients must move around immediately after recovering from the anesthesia and can go home immediately afterwards. Doctors will prescribe painkillers and will advise the patient to avoid drinking alcohol, sign legal papers or drive a car for a while due to the influence of the general anesthetics that require a few days to disappear from the body. A nurse will teach the person how to bathe and care for the incision area and will program the patient to an appointment in about two weeks.

High fiber diet is recommended after the operation to avoid constipation and surgical complications. Patients should not drive for about a week after the procedure and must get used to normal underwear once again as they might feel discomfort in the groin area immediately after the operation.

In case of small hernias, a belt can be worn in the beginning to avoid surgery; but in the end the only remaining option to avoid complications remains the surgical reducing of the hernia. Hernia interventions are common procedures and usually safe ones. Possible side-effects are discomfort, bruising, swelling in the area and sickness feeling due to the anesthetics. Small scars will remain from the incision and men will experience scrotum swelling for a few days or trouble while urinating.