Inguinal Hernia Treatment in Israel - Dr. Igor Markovich, General Surgeon

Treatment of inguinal hernia

About Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernia occurs when an internal organ or part of an organ protrudes through an abnormally wide natural opening in the lower abdominal wall of the inguinal (groin) area.

Inguinal Hernia in Men

Inguinal hernia affects men 10 times more often than women. During their lifetime, approximately 25% of men will have an inguinal hernia, and some of them will have a tendency to relapse.

About 10% of men will have incarceration in the inguinal canal. The most prominent sign of hernia is swelling in the inguinal (groin) area, which may increase over time and descends to scrotum, and this may indicate a high probability of an indirect inguinal hernia. If the swelling is only under the skin of the inguinal area, then it is more likely to be a direct inguinal hernia.

Inguinal Hernia in Women

Women are less likely to suffer inguinal hernias, which occur 10 times less often than in men.

Both direct and indirect inguinal hernias may also affect women, however, the external symptoms and appearance is very similar and therefore it is sometimes difficult to identify the type of hernia on physical examination of a patient. Anatomical variants of hernia do not influence surgical tactics of treatment.

Inguinal Hernia in Children

The origin and anatomy of an inguinal hernia in children is different from that of adults. In children, an inguinal hernia is a congenital condition and caused by what is known as a patent processus vaginalis.

About 25% of premature babies and only 5% of full-term babies have an inguinal hernia. Similar to adults, boys are 10 times more likely to suffer a congenital hernia than girls. It is important to know that in girls an inguinal hernia may have an ovary as its contents.

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What Causes Inguinal Hernia?

An inguinal hernia is caused by one or a combination of reasons:

hereditary predisposition
rough labor or endurance sports
habitus (overweight or rapid weight loss)
persistent cough, constipation
sedentary lifestyle

Inguinal Hernia Symptoms

Symptoms of a hernia are an external bulge and pain. There are two states of hernia.

The first is when the hernia contents slide freely back into the abdominal cavity. It is said to be a reducible hernia.

The second is when over-the-counter analgesic drugs cannot control the pain, it is no longer possible to reduce the bulge in the groin, and any manipulation of the groin area also causes sharp pain, possible abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. In this case, incarceration is suspected and urgent surgery on an inguinal hernia is required.

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Inguinal Hernia Treatment

Treatment for inguinal hernia hasn’t been changed for many years – surgery, either scheduled or emergency. Nowadays, surgical repair of inguinal hernias is one of the most commonly performed operations.

All inguinal hernia repairs are performed using surgical mesh, which increases surgery effectiveness and minimizes the recurrence rate.

Classic open or laparoscopic (through small punctures in the anterior abdominal wall) techniques are used to repair inguinal hernias. Both methods are equally effective. Only the surgeon may determine which method is suitable after a thorough examination of the patient.

On occasion, at the time of incarceration, the patient or an experienced surgeon may reduce the hernia. In these cases, in-patient observation is recommended for early detection of complications, if any.

Dr. Igor Markovich.
General Surgeon.
Over 20 years experience.