Inguinal hernia is a common type of external abdominal hernia, specifically referring to an external abdominal hernia that occurs in the inguinal region. The inguinal region is located on the anterior outer lower side of the abdominal wall and is a triangular area. Its lower boundary is the inguinal ligament, the inner boundary is the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis muscle, and the upper boundary is the horizontal line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis muscle. The occurrence of inguinal hernia is mainly due to the departure of a certain organ or tissue from its normal anatomical site, and its entry into another site through congenital or acquired weak points, defects, or gaps.

Symptom manifestations

The typical symptom of inguinal hernia is the appearance of a reversible mass in the inguinal area, which is obvious when standing and disappears or returns to normal when lying down. In addition, patients may also experience mild bloating. If the hernia block is trapped, there may be obvious symptoms of intestinal obstruction such as pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, it may even be life-threatening.

therapeutic method

The treatment methods for inguinal hernia mainly include conservative treatment and surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment: Suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery or are temporarily not preparing for surgery, such as infants and young children under one year old. Local protection can be achieved by wearing hernia bands to alleviate symptoms. However, conservative treatment cannot cure inguinal hernia and requires long-term treatment.

Surgical treatment: It is the most effective method for treating inguinal hernia and can fundamentally solve the problem. Surgical methods include two categories: traditional surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

Traditional surgery: including high ligation of hernias, strengthening or repairing the wall of the inguinal canal, and other surgical procedures. Traditional surgery has high tension, postoperative involvement, and a higher risk of recurrence.

Minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic hernia repair, has the advantages of minimal trauma, fast recovery, and good aesthetics. Minimally invasive surgery strengthens the abdominal wall by repairing the inguinal area. After inserting the hernia sac, a patch is used to cover the entire posterior wall of the inguinal region to strengthen it, thereby solving the problem of inguinal hernia.

matters needing attention

Patients with inguinal hernia should pay attention to observing the size and changes of the mass in the inguinal area, and avoid behaviors that cause increased abdominal pressure, such as chronic cough, chronic constipation, and difficulty urinating. At the same time, maintain good lifestyle and dietary habits, drink plenty of water, eat foods rich in crude fiber, keep bowel movements smooth, and avoid worsening the condition.

In short, although inguinal hernia is common, as long as it is detected in a timely manner and treated correctly, most patients can achieve good treatment results.