What causes an inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia: symptoms, causes, surgery to remove

An inguinal hernia is a more masculine disease that occurs at any age and can be congenital. Pathology occurs in women, but much less often, which is associated with anatomical features. In men, there is a physiological weakness of the inguinal canal, and the enlarged processus vaginalis, which is formed during the descent of the testicles from the abdominal cavity during embryogenesis, is also a risk factor.

Complications of an inguinal hernia are the main factor in the need for surgery. Without removing the defect, there is a risk of infringement of organs and their death, and this can already cause infertility and other pathologies from the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract.

To understand why an inguinal hernia is dangerous, and why it should be treated, one should understand the mechanism of its development and the consequences for internal organs. Hematoma, damage to the spermatic cord, varicocele, bowel perforation are the most common, but not the only consequences of inguinal hernia in men.

How is an inguinal hernia formed?

The formation of an inguinal hernia in men occurs due to congenital or acquired muscle weakness. The direct exit of organs from the abdominal cavity occurs during an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. In men, the inguinal canal is less strengthened by tendons and muscles, it is wide, but short, and such features will already be factors in the appearance of the disease.

When the pressure inside the peritoneum increases, a hernial orifice (muscle defect) forms, through which the intestinal loops, omentum, bladder and other organs exit.

FROMthe following factors can contribute to the development of an inguinal hernia in men:

frequent cough due to smoking or chronic respiratory pathologies;
constipation, bloating;
excess weight, constant high loads on the abdominal muscles;
overeating, sedentary lifestyle;
undergone surgery on the abdominal cavity.

A hernia can be unilateral and bilateral. In men, an oblique type of acquired protrusion on one side is more often diagnosed. This form is characterized by the passage of organs through the spermatic cord. Combined formations can be diagnosed when there are simultaneously oblique and direct hernias that have arisen independently of each other. The straight line goes into the inguinal canal, bypassing the spermatic cord.

Symptoms of the disease

Huncomplicated hernia hastipinye clinical manifestations:

Discomfort and heaviness in the abdomen.
Bulge in the groin area.
Reduction of education in the supine position and when pressed.
No pain.
Inconvenience when walking.
Increase in protrusion with muscle tension, during physical work.
Constipation, nausea, vomiting are less common.

A hernia in men appears suddenly, and rarely forms gradually. Small defects do not cause any discomfort, there is no pain, and its appearance will already indicate a complication. Large hernias have more pronounced symptoms, men have problems with urination, defecation, and erectile dysfunction may occur.

The severe course of the disease is accompanied by constant constipation, bloating, lack of appetite, and general weakness.

When the bladder enters the hernial sac, urinary retention or frequent urination, cramps along the urethra, pain in the pubic region join. Such manifestations are weakened when the hernia is repositioned. In older men, an inguinal hernia is almost always accompanied by urinary retention.

Complications without surgery

Hthis can happen if an inguinal hernia is not treated:

infringement- squeezing of organs in the hernial sac with their subsequent death;
peritonitis- inflammation of the abdominal cavity due to rupture of the organ;
coprostasis - retention of feces in the intestinal loop located in the hernia sac;
ischemic orchitis - inflammation of the testicle against the background of insufficient blood circulation.

ABOUTthe following symptoms will speak of complications:

nausea, vomiting of blood;
the appearance of blood with feces or the absence of defecation;
acute pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the lower back and leg;
irreducible hernia, absence of a cough shock.

The risk of complications is higher with a giant hernia, when all the organs of the abdominal cavity are contained in the hernial sac. But even small defects can be infringed during a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Pinching can occur at any time, for example, during coughing, with sudden movement and lifting of a heavy object.

From the moment the hernia appears, the attending physician should observe the condition, who will prescribe an operation and give recommendations on the prevention of complications until the moment of hernia repair.

How is hernia treated?

Treatment consists in removing the hernial sac and returning the organs to their place. This can be done only surgically - by open or laparoscopic hergioplasty. The operation is scheduled as planned, and preparation is needed for it: sanitation of inflammatory, infectious foci in the body, weight loss.

During this period, conservative techniques are prescribed that will allow to suspend the pathological process, preventing various complications. The goal of non-surgical treatment will be to eliminate the symptomatic complex, thereby improving well-being and using the body's reserve forces for a normal operation.

Conservative therapy

Pahoy bandage - This is a mandatory measure before and after surgery. It is needed to fix the hernia in the abdominal cavity and evenly distribute the load on the muscles, which will prevent pressure drops. The latter can lead to pinching of organs.

Dieta- dietary restrictions are needed to exclude conditions that increase pressure on the hernia area. We are talking about constipation, bloating, accumulation of feces in the large intestine, stomach overflow. The hernia diet is not strict, but it involves frequent meals in small portions, which many ignore due to employment.

Lgymnasticsand - physical activity is permissible, but dosed. It is allowed to perform light exercises, but only in the inguinal band when the hernia is repositioned. Exercise therapy is prescribed after the operation, and then therapeutic exercises will be an important measure to prevent the recurrence of pathology.

Mmedications - drugs are prescribed only when the patient is worried about soreness, constipation, problems with digestion and urination. The doctor may prescribe NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, diuretics and laxatives.

Hernioplasty

Hernia surgery in men involves creating access through the abdominal cavity, isolating the hernial sac, removing it with the return of the organs to their place. This is done by open or laparoscopic repair of the inguinal canal.

The first variant of the operation is prescribed when there is an urgent need for surgical intervention. The indications are inflammation, intestinal obstruction, infringement.

Laparoscopic surgery - This is a less traumatic option for removing a hernia. It involves access to the defect through small punctures in the abdominal wall. After such an operation, there are no wide scars, recovery is faster, and the risk of recurrence is much lower.

During hernia repair, a mesh implant can be installed, which closes the area of \u200b\u200bthe muscle defect, which prevents the organs from leaving through it into the inguinal canal.

Hernia removal can also be done by methodMarcywhen the narrowing of the canal is performed, that is, the closure of the inguinal ring. This technique is indicated for oblique forms of pathology. The Marcy method allows you to restore the anatomy of the inguinal ring with minimal tissue damage.

ABOUTperationBassini can be performed with oblique and direct hernias. The operation involves strengthening the inguinal ring and the Hesselbach triangle by sewing the rectus muscle to the inguinal ligament.

Dernioplasty with mesh installation - This is the preferred option for hernia repair in women and men. Prosthetics allows you to eliminate the effect of tissue tension, which gives the best result. This variant of the operation with the use of permanent prostheses is an indication for the removal of large and giant recurrent hernias. In case of primary disease, the best treatment is laparoscopichernioplasty with the installation of a mesh implant.

Consequences of hernia repair

ATpossible complications after surgical removal of a hernia:

Hdisruption of the spermatic cord - occurs during the isolation or removal of the hernial sac. The reasons are the inexperience or negligence of the surgeon. The consequences are hormonal disturbances, infertility.
Dnematoma- complicates normal recovery after surgery. Prevention - cold compress for 1-2 hours immediately after suturing.
Pintestinal damage - occurs with careless handling of the hernial sac.
ANDwound infection - a serious complication of the operation, the infection gets during or after hernia repair. Treatment is antibiotic therapy.
ATodyanka- The most common consequence of the removal of an inguinal hernia, treatment requires a second operation. Pathology can affect two testicles at the same time.
Pjoint damage - the result of the imposition of rough sutures, from which the hip joint may suffer. To prevent such a complication, it is important to thoroughly prepare for the operation with the examination of all areas from the risk group.

Hernia recurrence is another complication that can be encountered at any time after surgery. Re-disease occurs due to muscle weakness or when mistakes were made during the operation.

For prevention, the doctor prescribes a special regimen. Strict dietary restrictions and general contraindications will be needed in the first month. In the late period of rehabilitation, prevention consists in strengthening the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and preventing conditions leading to pressure drops inside the abdominal cavity.

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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. A specialist consultation is required!

general description

Inguinal hernia - This is the most common surgical pathology in childhood. It occurs mainly in boys, but it can also be diagnosed in adult men. Inguinal hernia in men, it is a hernial protrusion that descends into the inguinal canal and scrotum.

The most common unilateral inguinal hernia is on the right or left. But they can also be bilateral. In most cases, males suffer from pathology, although female inguinal hernias are also found. This is due to the fact that in the process of intrauterine development in boys, the testicles in the abdominal cavity gradually descend into the scrotum.

Classification

All inguinal hernias are classified based on:
1. The size and position of the hernial sac:

inguinal hernia proper: the sac is located exclusively in the inguinal canal;
an inguinal-scrotal cord hernia descends into the scrotum, but does not reach the testicle;
inguinal-scrotal testicular hernia descends into the scrotum and reaches the testicle, can be located around it.

2. Depending on the place and nature of the hernia formation:

a straight inguinal hernia passes right through the abdominal wall, bypassing the inguinal canal (formed during physical exertion, and is associated with the weakness of the ligamentous apparatus);
an oblique inguinal hernia passes through the inguinal canal - the body's natural opening, which is normally filled with the spermatic cord and testicular vessels.

3. Depending on the causes of occurrence:

congenital inguinal hernia is a congenital malformation (the mechanism of its formation will be discussed below);
an acquired inguinal hernia is most often the result of a combination of two factors: congenital weakness of the ligamentous apparatus and excessive physical exertion (this type of inguinal hernia is much less common).

4. Also, inguinal hernias are divided into:

male - occur in boys, the reasons for their occurrence are discussed below;
female or, as surgeons call them, girlish - much more rare.

5. Depending on the presence of infringements:

strangulated inguinal hernia - an acute threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention;
unrestrained inguinal hernia.

Causes of inguinal hernias

A bit of anatomy

A prerequisite for the appearance of oblique inguinal hernias is the presence in a person of such an anatomical formation as the inguinal canal. It begins inside the abdominal cavity, on the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall, then goes inward and downward, opening with an external opening just above the scrotum in men, and just above the labia majora in women.

The walls of the inguinal canal are formed by muscles and ligaments. Normally, this hole does not exist. It is filled with the spermatic cord in men and the round ligament of the uterus in women. But under certain conditions, it is the inguinal canal that can become the exit point for the hernial protrusion.

Why does this happen most often in boys?

In order to understand why boys are most often affected by pathologies, consider the process of intrauterine development.

When a male fetus is still in the mother's abdomen, his testicles are located in the abdomen, near the kidneys. Gradually, they go down, and by the time of birth they should take their usual place in the scrotum. But, going down, the testicle carries along a piece of the peritoneum - a film of connective tissue that lines the abdominal cavity from the inside. As a result, a small pocket of the peritoneum forms in the scrotum. In a newborn boy, it should be completely overgrown and turn into a cord of connective tissue.

However, this does not always happen. Sometimes the vaginal process of the peritoneum (this is what this pocket is called) remains open. It forms a hernial sac into which the internal organs in the abdomen can fall out.

The ovaries in girls always remain in place, so they do not have a vaginal process of the peritoneum - accordingly, inguinal hernias also occur much less often.

Acquired inguinal hernia

The origin of acquired inguinal hernias is very different from congenital ones.
In order for a straight inguinal hernia, or acquired oblique, to form, two factors must be present:

congenital weakness of the connective tissue and inguinal ring;
excessive physical activity, in which there is a strong straining of the abdomen and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

Lifting weights is most often used as physical activity that can increase intra-abdominal pressure. In some patients, a hernia may form even with severe coughing and sneezing, indomitable vomiting, in which pressure in the abdominal cavity increases.

What is inside the hernial sac with an inguinal hernia?

Most often, in boys, loops of the small intestine come out into the hernial sac, which have the greatest mobility. At an older age, a large omentum can act as the contents of the hernial sac - a sheet of connective tissue that hangs inside the abdominal cavity in the form of an apron.

In girls, the fallopian tubes and ovaries often enter the inguinal hernia.

Sometimes a child's large intestine has increased mobility. In this case, the cecum enters the hernial sac. As a result, the hernia seems to have no back wall, and surgeons call it sliding.

Symptoms

Congenital inguinal hernia

Symptoms of a congenital inguinal hernia usually appear immediately after birth. A newborn baby has a bulge located in the groin:

if it is a common inguinal hernia, then the protrusion has a rounded shape;
if the hernial sac descends into the scrotum, then the protrusion is elongated.

It has a dense elastic consistency, it can be easily felt by yourself.

An inguinal hernia is characterized by the following additional symptoms:

the protrusion can significantly decrease or disappear altogether when the child is in the supine position, and, on the contrary, appear and increase in an upright position;
if you press on the hernial protrusion, then it can often be corrected, while a characteristic rumbling will be heard;
when a child coughs, sneezes or strains, then the hernia increases in size and becomes more tense - you can easily feel it if you put your hand on it;
when the inguinal hernia is in the adjusted state, an enlarged inguinal ring can be easily felt through the skin;
if the hernial sac descends into the scrotum, then its corresponding half increases in size.

A girl's inguinal hernia is almost always spherical. But sometimes it is so large that it descends into the labia on the corresponding side, leading to its increase in size.

Inguinal hernias are usually not accompanied by any other symptoms. Sometimes the child may be bothered by pain, digestive disorders, and bloating. In children under the age of one year, it is generally difficult to say what caused this symptomatology - an inguinal hernia, or some other reason.

Can an inguinal hernia heal on its own without surgery?

Very often, an umbilical hernia, which a newborn child has, goes away on its own. It arises from the weakness of the umbilical ring, and as soon as it becomes stronger, the hernial protrusion completely disappears. This usually happens by 3-5 years.

In this regard, some parents are interested in whether an inguinal hernia can go through an inguinal hernia in this way on its own, without surgery.

Congenital inguinal hernias never go away on their own. After all, their occurrence is associated with the presence of the vaginal process of the peritoneum, which normally should overgrow and turn into a strand. Without surgical treatment, it will not go anywhere and will not disappear.

Symptoms of an acquired inguinal hernia

With an acquired inguinal hernia, all the same symptoms occur as with a congenital hernia. The patient himself discovers a protrusion in the groin area, which disappears in the supine position, reappears and increases in the standing position, and when straining.

Before the appearance of a hernia, as a rule, intense physical activity takes place.

If the hernia is small, the patient does not bother with any additional symptoms.
If an inguinal hernia in men exists for a very long time, and increases greatly in size, the following symptoms may occur:

constant aching pain in the area of \u200b\u200bhernial protrusion, in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region, due to the compression of a large number of intestinal loops or other organs;
constipation - also caused by compression of the intestines in the hernial sac;
other symptoms of indigestion, such as bloating, may also occur.

If part of the bladder enters the hernial sac, which is extremely rare, urinary problems may occur.

Sometimes falling into the sac of the cecum leads to the development of acute appendicitis. In this case, characteristic symptoms arise: severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, increased body temperature, disturbances in general well-being.

Infringement of an inguinal hernia in men

This condition is the most common complication of an inguinal hernia. When the loops of the intestine or parts of the omentum are pinched in the inguinal ring, due to which blood circulation in them is disturbed, and subsequently necrosis (necrosis) may develop.

Intense physical exertion, severe coughing, sneezing, vomiting, various digestive disorders, and bloating contribute to the infringement of an inguinal hernia.

Symptoms of a strangulated inguinal hernia

At the moment of infringement, severe pain in the lower abdomen immediately occurs due to compression of the nerves and vessels of the restrained intestine. Older children and adults usually independently indicate the appearance of this symptom and inform the doctor when it appeared. In a young child, this manifests itself as signs of general anxiety. He kicks his legs, cries loudly.

If at this moment you feel the patient's stomach, it turns out to be very tense. When pressed, the hernia does not adjust inward, but the pain increases significantly.

After a while, the pain may subside. However, the patient becomes lethargic, complains of weakness, feeling unwell. He has no stool.

Despite the fact that an infringement of an inguinal hernia is manifested by such vivid symptoms, it is not always possible to accurately establish the diagnosis. Sometimes, under similar manifestations, lymphadenitis (inflammation of the inguinal lymph node) or an acute cyst of the spermatic cord can be masked. Nevertheless, the infringement of an inguinal hernia is too dangerous a condition, therefore, in all doubtful situations, the surgeon still decides to have surgery.

It is very difficult to diagnose strangulated inguinal hernias in girls and women. If the fallopian tube and ovary are pinched in the hernial sac, then this condition is not accompanied by severe pain. The patient's condition seems to be quite satisfactory. But, while the patient is doing well, the strangulated ovary can be completely dead. Therefore, if a girl has even a slight suspicion of an infringement of an inguinal hernia, surgical intervention is immediately performed.

A restrained inguinal hernia in children has some features compared to adults. The blood flow in the baby's intestines is more intense, and the inguinal ring cannot squeeze the organs trapped in it too much. However, a child may react to a hernia infringement with very violent symptoms: fever, impaired consciousness, nausea and vomiting.

Be that as it may, a strangulated inguinal hernia is an emergency, very dangerous condition. It requires immediate medical attention. The operation should be performed as early as possible, otherwise complications such as necrosis of the strangulated organ and peritonitis (inflammation in the abdominal cavity) may develop.

Complications of an inguinal hernia

Many complications of inguinal hernia have already been discussed above. The main ones are:

infringement of a hernia - occurs most often, and requires urgent surgical intervention;
necrosis (necrosis) trapped in the hernial sac of intestinal loops, parts of the omentum, ovary or fallopian tube - all these conditions are complications of inguinal hernia infringement;
the development of peritonitis - inflammation of the entire abdominal cavity, is also a consequence of long-term infringement;
acute appendicitis - inflammation in the appendix, which develops as a result of clamping of its vessels in the inguinal ring;
less formidable complications of an inguinal hernia: digestive disorders, constipation, bloating, etc.

Inguinal hernia diagnostics

Medical examination

Diagnosis of congenital inguinal hernia in children, or acquired inguinal hernia in adults, begins with an examination by a surgeon. The doctor evaluates the groin area visually, evaluates the existing symptoms, palpates the patient's groin ring with his finger through the scrotum. To make sure that the alleged diagnosis is correct, the doctor may ask the patient to lie down and stand up, strain, examine him after physical exertion.
Diagnosis of inguinal hernia in children is carried out by a pediatric surgeon, in adults - by a surgeon and urologist. If there is a suspicion of a strangulated inguinal hernia, an ambulance must be called urgently. She can take the patient to the hospital, where he will be examined by the doctor on duty in an emergency.

What diseases should one distinguish between inguinal hernia in children and adults?

The diagnosis of an inguinal hernia is often very simple. After a short examination of the patient, the doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

But sometimes difficulties arise.
Inguinal hernia in children and adults must be distinguished from conditions such as:
1. Dropsy of the testicle - hydrocele. Pathology has the same origin as an inguinal hernia. But in this case, the vaginal process of the peritoneum has a narrower lumen, it contains not intestinal loops, but fluid. An inguinal hernia in women can never be confused with a hydrocele, because such a disease simply does not occur in girls. The treatment of both pathologies is very similar, therefore, the ambiguity of the diagnosis before surgery is not critical. Sometimes only by making an incision and reaching the testicle, the surgeon can accurately distinguish a hydrocele from an inguinal hernia.
2. Inguinal lymphadenitis - inflammation of the lymph node located in the groin. At the same time, severe pain, an increase in body temperature and other signs of an inflammatory process are not always noted. The lymph node in the groin can simply be enlarged. Compared to an inguinal hernia, an enlarged lymph node has a denser texture.

What additional research methods are used during the diagnosis of symptoms of an inguinal hernia?

With an inguinal hernia, the following types of research are prescribed:
1. Ultrasound of the scrotum. When conducting an ultrasound examination, it is possible to find out what is inside the scrotum: fluid or intestinal loops. Based on these data, it is possible to distinguish an inguinal hernia in men from a hydrocele - a dropsy of the testicle.

2. A less informative, but easier to carry out method is diaphanoscopy - scanning the scrotum using a conventional lamp. Moreover, if there is liquid inside, the light rays pass very easily. Dense structures do not allow them to pass through, making the transmitted light uneven.

In addition, before planning surgical treatment, the following general clinical studies are carried out for an inguinal hernia:

general blood analysis ;
general urine analysis ;
if necessary, a blood clotting test is performed.

Inguinal hernia treatment

Is surgical treatment of an inguinal hernia always required?

As a rule, congenital inguinal hernias are treated only with surgery. In adults, exceptions are possible. The final decision is made by the surgeon who examined the patient and prescribed the diagnosis.

Is it necessary to treat an inguinal hernia?

Yes, an inguinal hernia must necessarily be treated as prescribed by a doctor. Above, the complications of this disease were considered, which determine the need for therapeutic measures.

A strangulated inguinal hernia is a condition that can even threaten the patient's life. Therefore, her surgical treatment should be carried out urgently, as soon as possible.

Conservative methods of treating an inguinal hernia

Historical reference
At the beginning of the last century, American doctors assured world medicine that they had found a conservative method of treating an inguinal hernia. Medicines were developed that, when injected into the hernial sac, caused it to collapse and turn into scar tissue. The technique was rather complicated, had a high cost and required lengthy preparation in the form of wearing special bandages. It was used for some time, and then it was forgotten, as it often had serious complications:

development of the inflammatory process, peritonitis in response to injection;
scarring not only of the hernial sac, but also of the spermatic cord;
damage during the procedure of arteries and veins.

After a series of failures, all doctors were forced to admit that the only effective method of treating inguinal hernias is surgery. Conservative techniques are still used today, but their use is more the exception than the rule.

Wearing bandages for inguinal hernias
The only conservative technique currently used to treat inguinal hernias is the wearing of special bandages.

The indications for the use of this method are:

postoperative large inguinal hernias, when reoperation cannot be performed yet;
postoperative hernias, when reoperation cannot be performed due to the development of a suppurative process;
relapse of redhead after surgical treatment;
inguinal hernia in patients who have contraindications for surgery: old age, heart and vascular diseases, significant blood clotting disorders, etc.;
for children who cannot undergo surgery due to any medical condition, a bandage can also be used.

The bandage is not a radical treatment for inguinal hernias. It only relieves the patient's condition, prevents hernia from enlarging and pinching it. But as soon as the patient stops wearing the bandage, all the symptoms of the inguinal hernia return.
However, the bandage also has many beneficial effects:

the hernial protrusion ceases to bother the patient while wearing;
working capacity is restored to the previous level;
internal organs are securely held inside the abdominal cavity, the hernia is not able to increase in size or restrict.

The bandage should always be worn while lying down, only on the naked body. At first, wearing it can cause some inconvenience, but over time the patient gets used to it. In this case, the correct selection of the bandage plays an important role. It is usually removed at night, but you can leave it on when you cough and sneeze in a dream.

When wearing a bandage, it must be removed at least once a day in order to wash and rub the skin in those places where it came into contact with the fabric.

If worn for a very long time, the muscles of the lower abdomen and groin area may gradually atrophy. Therefore, with rare exceptions, surgical removal of an inguinal hernia is still inevitable. The wearing of the bandage should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician, for example, a surgeon in a polyclinic.

How is hernia repair performed for congenital inguinal hernias in children?

There are several techniques for removing inguinal hernias in children, but for the most part they all boil down to one scheme:

a small incision is made under general anesthesia in the groin area, the doctor cuts the tissue and gets to the inguinal ring - the place where the hernial sac descends into the scrotum;
then the surgeon carefully separates the hernial sac from the testicle: it seems as if the testicle is right in the sac, but in fact it is not - they are just a little glued together;
after that, the surgeon cuts the hernial sac and checks: are there any intestinal loops or other organs left inside?
if there is something inside the inguinal hernia, then it is adjusted back into the abdominal cavity;
then the hernial sac is cut off, and that part of it that comes out of the inguinal canal is bandaged;
this is where the operation ends, the surgeon sews up the wound.

Surgical intervention itself, in the absence of complications, is fairly quick and simple. Sometimes it only takes 15 minutes.

Surgical interventions for congenital hernias in children have some features:

The child's inguinal ring is not fully formed; it can narrow with age. Therefore, in children, surgeons always limit themselves to cutting off the hernial sac, and never strengthen the inguinal ring during the operation. This facilitates intervention.
In children, these operations are always performed under general anesthesia, while in adults, local anesthesia can be used. Anesthesia is given light, short-term, since the operation is performed quickly.
In children, the operation can be performed through a very small incision, sometimes 1 - 1.5 cm. In this case, the operation is considered almost endoscopic. The scar after it is almost invisible.
An inguinal hernia in girls is even easier to operate than in boys, because it is not associated with the testicle. This operation is so simple that hernia repair of a girl's hernia almost always becomes the debut of young surgeons.

Hernia repair in adults

If you put together all the options for operations that are used to remove inguinal hernias in children and adults, men and women, you get about a hundred options. This diversity suggests that there is no perfect methodology. But there are several types of operations that are most effective and are used by surgeons much more often. Here are their names by the names of the authors who developed them: Bassini, Kimbarovsky, Ivanisevich, Martynov, etc.
Removal of inguinal hernias in men and women consists of the same stages, and has the same essence as in children.
However, there are some differences and features:

in adults, the intervention can sometimes be performed not only under general anesthesia, but also under local anesthesia;
in men, after excision of the hernial sac, additional strengthening of the inguinal ring (plastic, suturing) is always performed in order to exclude recurrence of the inguinal hernia.

In case of inguinal hernias, planned surgical treatment is always carried out. This means that after the diagnosis is made, the doctor will order a routine examination. Then the patient takes a queue for hospital treatment. The operation is carried out on a pre-planned basis. There is no urgency in this case.

Surgical removal of strangulated inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia infringement is an emergency that requires immediate attention. The operation must be performed as early as possible. The patient is urgently delivered to the surgery department.

During infringement, there is always a possibility that the bowel loops or part of the omentum, which are in the hernial sac, are dead. Therefore, after opening the hernia, the surgeon must very carefully examine the contents of the bag.
Further, three options are possible:
1. If the bowel looks completely normal and has all the signs of life, the surgeon simply sets it inside the abdomen and completes the operation as usual.
2. If there are initial signs of organ necrosis, the doctor tries to restore the vitality of the intestine with drugs.
3. Part of the intestine or omentum has finally died, then it is excised.

Sometimes the entrapment of an inguinal hernia occurs in premature and weakened children, in patients who, for one reason or another, cannot be operated on.
In such a case, they first try to eliminate the infringement by conservative methods:

drug administration;
warm baths;
lying position with raised legs and pelvis.

If the above measures do not bring an effect within 2 hours, the doctor decides to have an operation.

How do you recover from inguinal hernia surgery?

After surgery for an inguinal hernia, the patient is in the hospital for several days under the supervision of a doctor. Dressing of the postoperative wound is performed.

Usually, the stitches are removed from the wound on the 7-10th day. On the same day, the patient is discharged from the hospital. Children today are increasingly seeking to apply cosmetic sutures made of absorbable threads, which do not need to be removed, and after which there are practically no scars.

For 2 to 4 weeks, children are advised to avoid physical activity, and adults are advised to wear a special bandage.

Full recovery of working capacity after an operation for an inguinal hernia occurs 3–6 months after surgical treatment.

Before use, you must consult a specialist.

Hello dear readers! Inguinal hernia is the most common type of abdominal hernia. The protrusion of the abdominal cavity in the groin area is more likely to disturb men, usually such abnormal modifications are about 5 centimeters long. Usually she is more likely to disturb men, due to the anatomy of the structure of the body. Today we will consider the main causes and methods of treating an inguinal hernia with medications and folk remedies.

Previously, a description of an umbilical hernia in adults and newborns was presented, photos are presented. You can learn more about this.

Congenital and acquired inguinal hernias are well known. Congenital are due to anatomical features transmitted through the genetic line, acquired ailments are formed in the process of life and are caused by the appearance of some reasons. The main reasons are:

Heredity;
Age-related modifications, with age there is a decrease in muscle tone;
Sexual characteristics (more often men are exposed to the disease);
Body structure;
Body weight (often a hernia forms with rapid weight loss);
Active labor activity in women;
Paralysis of the abdominal muscles;
Hard work;
Constipation, urge to urinate;
Harsh, regular cough.

Inguinal hernia in children

According to statistics, five percent of full-term newborns and 3% of premature babies develop an inguinal hernia. According to statistics, boys have such an ailment 10 times more often than girls. The main reason for such an early onset of the disease is associated with the movement of the testicles into the scrotum. Common causes are:

operable intervention on the scrotum;
trauma;
lifting weights;
cough, vomiting, painful attempts.

Inguinal hernia - symptoms

Symptoms depend on the size and on which organ is in it. The first signs are characterized by the following reasons:

Indigestion (vomiting, nausea);

Urination problems;

A lump or swelling forms in the groin;

In men, the scrotum increases, a decrease in potency is observed.

Hernia symptoms in men are often confused with dropsy and varicocele, in girls and women - with a cyst.

Among women

Small swellings in a horizontal position do not appear in any way, they can be distinguished only with muscle tension. At the initial stage, the pathology does not appear and it can only be detected by women engaged in hard physical labor.

At the later stages of the formation of hernial protrusions in women, the following symptoms are observed:

Pain in the groin area;
Fatigue, fatigue, decreased performance;
Cramps during menstruation;
Intense flatulence, constipation;
Pain when urinating;
Discomfort when walking.

Inguinal hernia in women is difficult to tolerate, which is associated with the anatomical structure of the female body and often occurs during pregnancy .

In men

An unpleasant feature in men is that people turn to specialists already at an intensive stage of the development of the disease, so you should clearly know the main symptoms:

Constriction and increased tone in the groin area;
Chills and body temperature;
Fatigue;
Arrhythmia;
Dizziness;
Pain when urinating;
Frequent urge to urinate.

Effects

A neglected hernia can cause a lot of unpleasant situations, from inflammatory processes to the formation of a strangulated hernia. If the above symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact a specialist, otherwise you cannot do without surgical intervention.

Timely referral to the clinic will avoid discomfort:

an increase in protrusions;
testicular inflammation;
preventing the formation of a strangulated hernia, which is sometimes fatal;
frequent constipation, failure of the digestive system.

You should not forget about your health, and at the first negative signs, contact your doctor, who will choose the correct path of therapy, and you can do without surgery.

Infringement of an inguinal hernia

In cases where the hernia is not treated for a long time and is constantly increasing, there is a risk of a strangulated hernia. This is a serious complication. This is dangerous because there is a sharp deformation of the internal organs and blood supply failures.

The fact that the infringement has occurred can be recognized by the following signs:

Suddenly, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe hernial fly, there is suddenly a severe sharp pain that spreads to the lower abdomen;
Against the background of a painful attack, indomitable vomiting appears, which does not bring relief;
Stool retention, abdominal distention due to accumulation of non-waste gases, may be a common sign;
Temperature rise is possible;
As a rule, it is impossible to correct a restrained hernia, which was previously done without problems.

It is impossible to ignore such a protrusion, the consequences are terrible, for example, tissue death, the development of peritonitis. The general condition in this case worsens quickly. Against the background of increasing and unbearable pain, vomiting increases even more, the temperature rises, blood pressure drops, loss of consciousness is possible as a result of painful shock and general intoxication.

An inguinal hernia in this stage can only be cured with the help of an emergency operation, so people, especially the elderly, should be more careful about their health.

Inguinal hernia treatment

To get rid of the swelling in the groin area is possible only through an operation using a mesh, which is necessary to fix the external tissues and to prevent the recurrence of inguinal hernia. The mesh that anchors the muscles is made of polypropylene and is not subject to rejection in the human body.

In addition to surgical intervention, some alternative options are known, which we will consider below, unfortunately, they lead only to temporary relief.

Operation

In cases when the patient turned to specialists in a timely manner, the operation is carried out in a planned mode, if the hernia has passed into a restrained stage, the operation is performed according to emergency indications. The main purpose of the operation is to return the organs to their proper place.

There are two types of surgery for inguinal hernia:

reduction of the groin gap;
elimination of the bag.

Today, a special place is occupied by the obturation method of hernia repair. In such cases, an incision of 5 centimeters is made, then the hernial sac is reconstructed into the cavity and inguinal canal. For fixing, a mesh is installed, thereby postoperative rehabilitation proceeds without complications.

Without surgery

It is not always effective to carry out the operation, there are cases when the patient, for some reason, cannot withstand the anesthesia and all the hardships, it is in these cases that a bandage is used, which helps to fix the hernia and stops its growth and development. The bandage is used for:

the occurrence of pain;

after operation;

during pregnancy.

Experts prohibit wearing a bandage for a restrained hernia; in general, its use should be considered as a preventive method of treatment. For therapy without surgery, herbal medicine, manual methods and physical therapy are used.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional methods of treatment will help neutralize inflammation and relieve pain, but this does not mean that the problem can be completely solved. Anyway, sooner or later, you will have to seek treatment from a doctor. The following traditional medicine recipes are often used:

It is necessary to collect the grass - hernia, wash and steam for 10 minutes, the resulting mixture is applied to the sore spot, this method is recommended to be carried out 1 time per day, the compress is applied in place and held for 40 minutes, such therapy can be carried out for 35 days;
To prevent the development of a hernia, you can use three cabbage leaves, which must be chopped (meat grinder), the resulting mixture is applied to the affected area overnight;
For a compress from oak bark, you need to take chopped dried bark, pour boiling water, boil on fire for 10 minutes, insist, cool, then moisten gauze and apply to the affected area, wrap with a cloth and wear for 3 hours;
Take an aloe leaf, remove the skin, sprinkle with baking soda and attach to the sore spot, previously treated with an alcohol solution;
Take 500 grams of melted pork fat, mix with 100 ml of vinegar essence and add a raw chicken egg, insist the resulting solution for 5 days, then melt the mixture, add a spoonful of badger fat and 2 quail eggs. The result is an ointment that must be used in the morning and evening for 30 days. Such activities will help relieve pain.

For the treatment of inguinal hernia, they use gorse, Russian horticultural, fragrant spikelet, icterus, fence calistegia, wormwood, common pine, elecampane, calamus, and walker. Broths are prepared very simply, for this you need to take a pinch of any herb from the above list, pour a glass of boiling water and insist in a thermos, should be consumed three times a day for a quarter of a glass.

It must be remembered that medicinal plants cannot replace surgical intervention, so watch your health and avoid complications. The above recipes will help prevent pain and inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of relapse. Listen to your body and be healthy!

Inguinal hernia occurs more often in men and newborns due to muscle weakness, impaired connective tissue development and against the background of acquired factors. This is the most common surgical disease among children; in adults, a hernia in the groin occurs suddenly and may not disturb at all for some time.

They often turn to a doctor when an inguinal hernia already hurts, all the signs are growing, which may become an indication for emergency surgical removal. The disease can only be cured by surgery, but preparation is required for it, therefore you need to know how to get rid of unpleasant symptoms without the risk of complications until the main treatment.

An inguinal hernia is not always painful. Some women and men are worried about only a slight swelling in the groin and discomfort while walking. This is an uncomplicated disease, and it is important to preserve this stage before the operation.

For the purpose of anesthesia, pills, injections, a bandage are used, the diet is changed to exclude constipation, and the load is reduced. In women, the disease often proceeds without pain, while in men, vivid symptoms appear, so you have to resort to various methods of eliminating unpleasant sensations.

How does a hernia in the groin manifest?

The main manifestation of an inguinal hernia is swelling in the groin area, in men one or two testicles enlarge, in women, the shape of the labia majora changes. The protrusion can be painless, which largely depends on the lifestyle, professional activity and the general condition of the body. Athletes have a higher risk of complications with severe symptoms; with sedentary work, the risk is lower, but always there.

Symptoms of a hernia include:

redness in the groin area without signs of inflammation;
discomfort while driving;
painful sensations in the lower abdomen;
dyspeptic symptoms, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting;
burning sensation in the area of \u200b\u200bprotrusion.

An inguinal hernia is confirmed by ultrasound, but even during examination, the doctor can diagnose the disease without additional research. Ultrasound diagnostics and other methods are needed to examine the contents of the hernial sac, to assess the severity. An operation cannot be performed without ultrasound; the study is carried out before and after the removal of the defect.

Hernia pain

The main causes of pain with a hernia in the groin are infringement and concomitant bowel diseases. Complicated disease is manifested by general symptoms. In addition to pain, there is weakness, malaise, and fever. Infringement can cause necrosis of internal organs, bleeding, blood poisoning and many other serious consequences.

Why does hernia pain appear:

increased content of gases in the intestines;
high intra-abdominal pressure;
sharp lifting of weight;
frequent constipation, bloating;
accidental injury;
chronic cough.

In case of infringement, the following manifestations will disturb:

pain in the groin and lower abdomen;
the protrusion increases, becomes denser;
there is nausea, less often vomiting;
the hernia does not adjust into place and does not decrease in the supine position;
retention of stool and urination.

Infringement may be accompanied by bleeding, then vomiting of blood appears. Without serious disturbances, the pain gradually subsides, but the general malaise remains. After a few hours from the moment of bright symptoms, pallor of the skin, numbness is noted.

The subsidence of manifestations is not an improvement in the condition, but a new stage of the disease, the destruction of the intestinal wall begins due to insufficient blood circulation.

How to relieve pain

Hernia pain and the very fact of this disease are absolute indications for surgery. Sometimes a long preparation is required or there are contraindications for surgical treatment, then the wearing of a bandage and medication is prescribed to reduce pain.

Conservative methods are indicated for such contraindications to surgery:

old age and severe systemic diseases;
pregnancy;
depletion of the body, cachexia.

The bandage will help relieve soreness after surgery. It is needed during sports, when there is a predisposition to a hernia or has already been treated for it.

Medicines

Abdominal pain with a hernia is eliminated by antispasmodic drugs. For a while, No-Shpa or Drotaverin will help to anesthetize the area of \u200b\u200bthe defect and the surrounding organs. But in no case should they be used regularly and with severe symptoms. Intense pain may indicate a strangulation, and medications obscure an important diagnostic feature. Untimely detection of a complication ends in the most severe consequences for the whole organism.

For aching pain, local ointments and gels can help, which can be applied directly to the protrusion area. When bowel upset, bloating and constipation are worried, a laxative can be taken, but only with the permission of the doctor.

The most important step in relieving pain and improving overall well-being will be a diet:

fatty foods, spicy and too sweet are excluded;
carbonated drinks, coffee are removed from the diet;
it is not recommended to rush while eating;
it is important to eat often, but in small portions;
better to steam or bake;
calorie content decreases, more vitamin food is added.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine recipes can be combined with a course prescribed by a doctor, but you cannot treat them as an independent method of treatment. At home, you can prepare compresses, decoctions, tinctures and ointments for external use, as well as fortifying agents for oral administration. It is important to remember that most of the medicinal herbs are allergens, so their choice must be taken responsibly.

What to do at home to get rid of pain with an inguinal hernia:

fern compress - not only a good pain reliever, but also a way to fix the protrusion at night, for which you need to attach a plant leaf to the hernia;
nettle and sour cream compress - you need to grind the nettle, add sour cream, apply the finished mixture to the defect overnight, fixing it with a cabbage leaf;
gooseberry decoction - a fortifying medicine, you can drink half a glass daily before meals;
clover decoction - taken every day for 1/3 cup half an hour before meals.

A popular remedy for inguinal hernia is pork fat.

From it, you can independently prepare a medicinal ointment. To do this, the fat is melted and poured into a glass container, where a whole chicken egg is lowered. Vinegar is poured into the jar, it is left in a cool room until the egg is completely dissolved. Then the mixture is melted again, mixed and left in the refrigerator. The finished ointment can be applied to a sore spot and fixed with a bandage for several hours daily.

Sauerkraut compress will also help with soreness. To do this, you need to make a compress and apply to the hernia. For this purpose, other ingredients are also suitable: wormwood, cornflower flowers.

Operation

Removal of the hernia must be done due to the risk of complications:

irreducibility - adhesions form between the organ and the hernial sac, which makes the contents stop moving freely, with such a complication, a planned operation is performed;
coprostasis - when a part of the intestine is in the hernial sac, fecal masses accumulate in it, which later ends with intestinal obstruction;
infringement - a dangerous condition with an indication for an emergency operation, the contents of the hernial sac are compressed, pinched organs, vessels and surrounding tissues suffer from this, there is a risk of internal bleeding and necrosis;
inflammation- the condition requires immediate surgery with careful preparation.

Removal is carried out by open and laparoscopic surgery. In the first case, a wide incision is made in the abdominal wall in the area of \u200b\u200bthe defect. The hernia is set in place and the tissues are sutured with a mesh or by stretching natural tissues. Laparoscopy is less traumatic; 3 punctures are made through which instruments and a camera are inserted.

Pain relief can be done with a local anesthetic or the operation is performed under general anesthesia. The method of pain relief is selected, depending on the stage of the disease and the choice of the patient himself, if there are no contraindications.

Local anesthesia is used at the initial stage of the hernia, and when there are contraindications for general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia provides complete numbness below the injection site while the patient is awake. General anesthesia is indicated for laparoscopic surgery, for large defects and complicated hernia.

In children

In children, hernia is no less rare, and treatment is performed surgically. The sooner the operation is performed, the lower the risk of serious complications, including infertility. In a child, a hernia may hurt, as indicated by severe crying, poor sleep, anxiety.

Treatment of children at home is strictly prohibited, because at any time an infringement can occur, which without timely assistance will lead to the death of organs in the hernial sac in a few hours.

The crying and screaming of the child only contribute to the early infringement of the hernia. Outwardly, the complication will manifest itself as an increase in swelling, severe redness of the skin. In this case, you need to call an ambulance. Before the planned operation, when there are no complications, the child is assigned a bandage that will support the organs, preventing them from further bulging.

To save a child from pain with an inguinal hernia can only be a decision to perform an operation. There are no other ways that could put organs back in place, ensuring normal development without the risk of re-disease.

Training

Planned surgery requires special preparation, which begins in 2-3 weeks:

a week before the operation, general blood and urine tests are taken, an ultrasound scan is performed, fluorography and consultation with specialized doctors are additionally prescribed;
the type of anesthesia is discussed with the surgeon, contraindications to the selected option of anesthesia are excluded;
in a few days you need to start following a strict diet, remove gas-forming products from the diet;
before the operation, dinner should be light, in the morning a cleansing enema is indicated;
the operation is not performed until the risk factors in the form of acute diseases and exacerbation of chronic ailments are eliminated.

Recovery after treatment

After hernia repair, the pain will disturb for several days, which is a normal reaction to tissue injury. The doctor will prescribe pain relievers, vitamins, and advice on nutrition and wound care.

In the early period after the operation, adherence to bed rest, sparing nutrition and wearing a postoperative bandage will help reduce pain.

For the first 3 weeks after hernia repair, it is recommended to abstain from sexual activity. Lifting weights is completely excluded, as well as engaging in active sports. You can start doing exercises from the second month after the operation, gradually returning to your usual life.

Causes and risk factors for an inguinal hernia

You can prevent a hernia by knowing its main factors and causes:

heredity and age - these factors cannot be controlled, but more attention can be paid to prevention when there is a predisposition to hernia;
overweight and pregnancy - associated with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, when there is muscle weakness, this can provoke organ protrusion;
congenital anomalies of the inguinal canal;
incomplete infection of the processus vaginalis;
heavy sports;
persistent constipation, diseases of the genitourinary system;
chronic cough- due to pulmonary tuberculosis or bronchitis.

Inguinal hernia is of different types. The inguinal-scrotal form is considered a severe form; it occurs in men as a complication. It can be unilateral and bilateral, which is manifested by an enlargement of the scrotum on one or both sides. This form of the disease is common among young boys. But in both adults and children, treatment is possible only surgically.

Many clinics offer conservative techniques for inguinal hernia, but seriously ill patients need this approach when the operation is strictly contraindicated. It is also a temporary measure before surgery and a method of postoperative recovery.

The term "inguinal hernia" refers to a pathological condition in which the peritoneum protrudes into the cavity of the zone located in the lower abdomen between the thighs. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed in men. According to statistics, 97% of patients are representatives of the stronger sex. The presence of a bulge is a great danger. If it is found, you must immediately consult a doctor. He will carry out diagnostic measures and draw up the most effective treatment regimen. In most cases, surgery is required.

Development mechanism

Every human body has an inguinal canal. This is a specific formation, which is a gap, the length of which does not exceed 4.5 cm. It begins in the abdominal cavity and ends in the groin. It is through this gap that the organs protrude.

An inguinal hernia can be either congenital or acquired. In these cases, the mechanism of its development is different.

If the child's intrauterine development is normal, at 9 months the boy's testicles descend into the scrotum. Initially, their formation took place in the abdomen, then they moved along the inguinal canal. Normally, the so-called pocket, which maintains communication with the abdominal cavity, gradually overgrows after the birth of the child.

In some cases, this does not happen. As a result, the opening, which is the communication between the scrotum and the abdomen, remains open. With an increase in the index of intra-abdominal pressure, internal organs can fall into it (in most cases, intestinal loops). In girls, the mechanism for the development of the disease is similar, the difference is that the uterus sinks, which is also initially located higher. The consequences of an inguinal hernia in men and women are extremely dangerous. In this regard, a child who has a congenital defect should be regularly examined by a specialist.

An acquired inguinal hernia occurs under the influence of certain provoking factors, as a result of which the muscles of the abdominal cavity are weakened. They are no longer able to hold on to internal organs.

Thus, before an inguinal hernia forms, certain changes occur. In other words, the bulge is the result of a pathological process.

Causes

An inguinal hernia is formed under the influence of the following provoking factors:

Premature pregnancy. If the delivery process occurred earlier, some internal organs and the “pocket” itself did not complete the full cycle of their development. As a result, the latter remained open.
Hereditary predisposition. If an inguinal hernia is diagnosed in close relatives, the likelihood of its development increases significantly.
Weakness of the muscle tissue located in the abdominal wall.
Overweight. With obesity, the abdominal organs are under increased stress.
Various kinds of groin injuries. As a rule, after receiving them, a significant weakening of the ligaments and muscles is noted.
A sharp decrease in body weight. If there is no fat layer in the area of \u200b\u200bthe inguinal canal, intestinal loops and other internal organs easily penetrate into empty volumes.
A lifestyle that does not imply frequent physical activity. Against the background of hypodynamia, the muscles atrophy, become flabby. They cannot fully perform their functions, as a result of which the organs pass into the canal without resistance.
Frequent and high-intensity physical activity. Against the background of overvoltage, the level of intra-abdominal pressure rises.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by frequent constipation.
Chronic cough.

Thus, the disease can develop under the influence of many provoking factors. Information on how to treat an inguinal hernia should be provided by a doctor, but every patient should understand that even surgery will not be as effective as possible if he does not make adjustments to his lifestyle.

Clinical picture

Symptoms may occur soon after birth or during life. The first signs of both congenital and acquired ailments are similar. In most cases, the man will find the bulge on his own. The degree of protrusion increases with coughing and physical exertion. On palpation, the formation is soft and elastic. Pain with an inguinal hernia in men is also absent.

If you take a horizontal position, the bulge will decrease in size. If you press on it with your fingers, it will very easily fit inward. In this case, the hole is well felt, through which the organs protrude.

Hernia is a rare cause of groin pain in men. As a rule, the ailment is not accompanied by the occurrence of pronounced discomfort. In some cases, the hernia invades the bladder. In such situations, dysuric disorders are the cause of groin pain in men. If the cecum gets into the hernial sac, constipation, cramps and flatulence are troubling. Sometimes there is an increase in the size of the scrotum.

If a bulge occurs, you should immediately contact a surgeon. Only a doctor knows how to treat an inguinal hernia. The main diagnostic measures are: examination, palpation, ultrasound, X-ray examination, irrigoscopy and cystoscopy. Based on the results, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen and determines the method of surgical intervention.

Conservative therapy methods

As a rule, they are ineffective. If it is being adjusted, that is, there is no infringement, or there are contraindications to the operation, wearing a medical bandage is indicated. The size of the product is determined by the physician. Bandages can be either one- or two-sided.

It is important for patients to understand that the use of this medical device does not cure an inguinal hernia. This is only a means of preventing infringement and loss of intestines and other organs into the hernial sac. You can completely get rid of the disease only by operational methods.

Surgical intervention

There are currently no alternatives to such treatment. The operation is carried out as planned. Exceptions are complications, for example, in the form of infringement of a hernia. In such situations, surgical intervention is carried out on an emergency basis. This is due to the fact that necrosis can form in the restrained organ, which poses a danger not only to health, but also to the patient's life. In addition, children's age up to six months is also an indication for urgent surgery, since in this case most complications can be avoided.

Preparation is required before removing an inguinal hernia in men. First of all, the patient needs to provide the doctor with information regarding the medications taken, chronic pathologies and allergies. Comprehensive examination is mandatory.

A few days before the operation, it is necessary to stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking. The day before surgery, you must follow a strict diet. Only clean, non-carbonated water is allowed to drink.

In men, the removal of an inguinal hernia can be done open or laparoscopically. The methodology is selected by the doctor on an individual basis. An exception may be cases when a patient is admitted to a hospital in an extremely serious condition. In such situations, as a rule, traditional open access hernia repair is performed.

Algorithm for performing a surgical intervention:

An incision is made in the protrusion zone. Tissue dissection is performed parallel to the ligament.
The surgeon removes the hernial sac. After that, the doctor excises it with a scalpel.
The specialist examines the internal organs, assessing their condition.
If pathologically altered tissues are found, they are also excised. Healthy organs sink back into the abdominal cavity.
The doctor sutures the inguinal canal. This is done using synthetic or proprietary fabrics.
The specialist stitches and treats the resulting wound.

Traditional surgery is performed on healthy men who have not experienced an inguinal hernia in the past. When contacting a private clinic, the patient has the right to choose the preferred method of intervention. But, judging by the reviews, the operation on the inguinal hernia in men in the open way is easily tolerated. In addition, its cost is lower than that of minimally invasive techniques.

Laparoscopic surgery is the most modern way to get rid of the disease. It does not require significant tissue dissection. It is enough for the doctor to make 2-3 incisions no more than 3 cm long. Then the surgeon places laparoscopic instruments into them.

During the operation, the doctor removes the hernia and reduces the size of the opening, through which the protrusion of the internal organs occurs. Then the defect in the abdominal cavity is sutured.

According to reviews, laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery in men causes more positive emotions. This is due to the short rehabilitation period and the absence of pronounced scars.

These are the main methods for removing an inguinal hernia. Less commonly, doctors resort to the following methods:

Operation on Liechtenstein. It implies the installation of a mesh implant, the fixation of which is carried out behind the spermatic cord. The advantage of the method is the minimal risk of recurrence.
Endoscopic hernioplasty. Implies the placement of the mesh in the extra-or pre-peritoneal way.
Obstructive hernioplasty. During its implementation, the inguinal canal is not sutured. The doctor carries out only obturation of the hernial orifice with a mesh.

The choice of the method of surgical intervention can be influenced not only by the individual characteristics of the patient's health, but also by the cost of the operation. In public medical institutions, traditional hernia repair is usually carried out free of charge, but with an insurance policy. The average cost of an inguinal hernia surgery in men using the standard method in private clinics is 20 thousand rubles. Laparoscopic intervention is much more expensive. The cost of an operation on an inguinal hernia in men using this method is about 45-50 thousand rubles.

Features of the postoperative period

The disease most often develops against the background of a significant weakening of muscle tissue. In this regard, recovery after surgery for an inguinal hernia in men means strengthening them.

The duration of the rehabilitation period directly depends on how the excision was performed. As a rule, a patient after a traditional hernia repair needs to stay in the hospital for about a week. During this period, bed rest and diet are shown. Any physical activity during recovery from an inguinal hernia (for both men and women) is unacceptable. After a few days, on the contrary, it is recommended to perform a simple set of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscle corset.

If synthetic threads were used during the operation, the sutures are removed on the 5-7th day. Up to this point, dressings are done every day. In the first few days, there may be severe painful sensations. As a rule, they are a variant of the norm. To stop them, the doctor prescribes pain relievers.

After removal of an inguinal hernia in men, rehabilitation also involves wearing a bandage. The use of this medical device can significantly reduce the risk of relapses and complications. This is due to the fact that the bandage does not allow stretching of muscle tissue and significantly reduces the load on the peritoneum. The product can be used for several days. It is especially useful at the initial stage of recovery after surgery, when there is pain.

Patients who have undergone surgery are shown a special diet. In men, after an inguinal hernia, various intestinal disorders often occur. In this regard, it is necessary to adhere to the following principles in nutrition:

Most often it is recommended to eat liquid food.
All portions should be small.
Food must be chewed thoroughly. The meal should take a long period of time.
It is recommended to eat 4 times a day, making equal intervals of time between meals.
The emphasis in the diet should be on protein foods. With their frequent use, the process of muscle recovery is accelerated. The menu must include: chicken, turkey, fish, low-fat milk and cottage cheese, eggs.
It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that can provoke flatulence. These include: confectionery, kefir, baked goods, yoghurts and fruits.
It is allowed to drink clean non-carbonated water. Coffee, soda and alcohol are strictly prohibited.

Possible complications

Any operation is an intervention in the human body, which can subsequently react unpredictably. This also applies to inguinal hernia in men. Complications after surgery are not uncommon. But, as a rule, negative consequences are associated with human actions. For example, the doctor did not bandage the wound, or the patient immediately began to expose the body to stress.

The most common complications are:

Suppuration of the seam. It is accompanied by severe painful sensations and an increase in local body temperature.
Relapse. An inguinal hernia may reappear if the patient has violated the doctor's instructions. Most often, relapses occur when dieting, smoking, and as a result of physical exertion. Less commonly, the cause is medical errors made during the surgical intervention.
Hematomas. When they occur, cold compresses and squeezing dressings are indicated.
Damage to nerves, blood vessels, or the spermatic cord. Such complications are associated with medical error. As a result, the sensitivity of the skin in the groin area and sexual function may be impaired.
It can be one- or two-sided.
Vascular thrombosis of the legs.
Intestinal dysfunction.
Damage to the hip joint.
Infectious diseases.

If the operation was performed by a qualified surgeon, the risk of complications is minimized.

The consequences of an inguinal hernia in men

If you do not see a doctor in a timely manner, they are very sad. It is important to understand that discomfort and a pronounced aesthetic defect are not the most unpleasant consequences of an inguinal hernia in men. There are many complications that pose a threat not only to health, but also to the patient's life.

The consequences of an inguinal hernia in men:

Inflammatory process. Most often, acute appendicitis, colitis and diseases of the genital organs develop. In this case, the severity of symptoms is purely individual. Some are able to carry out daily activities, while others suffer from pain, nausea and vomiting. In any case, it is required to immediately call an ambulance brigade. This is due to the fact that an acute inflammatory process requires urgent surgical intervention.
Fecal plug formation. It occurs when a part of the colon enters the hernial sac. As the feces accumulate in it, this area becomes impassable. As a result, there are disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Against the background of a lack of blood supply, tissue death (necrosis) can occur.
Infringement of a hernia. This is a negative consequence, which, as a rule, develops with lightning speed. It is characterized by squeezing at the gate of the organs that enter the hernial sac. Disruption of innervation and blood supply instantly occurs. According to statistics, 15% of inguinal hernias are subject to infringement in the absence of timely treatment. The following signs are alarming: the bulge stops adjusting, the formation becomes dense and tense, pronounced painful sensations in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, an increase in body temperature.

Each of the above consequences poses a threat to both health and life of the patient. In this regard, in case of deterioration of health, it is required to call an ambulance brigade. In such situations, emergency surgical intervention is indicated.

If you find signs of an inguinal hernia, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Currently, only with the help of surgery it is possible to get rid of the disease. It is carried out in a planned manner.

Lifestyle adjustments should be made in patients who have already had an inguinal hernia removed. High-intensity physical activity should be avoided and body weight should be controlled. In addition, it is recommended to follow the principles of healthy eating. If signs of relapse occur, you should also immediately contact a medical facility.

Finally

An inguinal hernia is a pathological condition in which organs protrude from the abdominal cavity into the area between the thighs in the lower abdomen. The disease does not always worsen the quality of a man's life, but the absence of severe painful sensations does not exclude the need to seek medical help. About what is dangerous for an inguinal hernia in men. Ignoring the problem leads to various negative consequences, including: inflammation, infringement and stool plugs. If such complications occur, emergency surgery is indicated.

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