Inguinal (Groin) Hernia

• What is an inguinal hernia?+−

  Tap for details

  Fat or bowel pushes through a weakness near the inguinal canal under the skin. Indirect hernias often relate to a persistent congenital canal; direct hernias reflect posterior-wall weakness. Femoral hernias sit slightly lower toward the thigh root — more dangerous for incarceration, especially in women, and need separate assessment.

• Who is at higher risk?+−

  Tap for details

  Men are affected far more often. Age, connective-tissue weakness, family history, chronic cough, constipation, heavy lifting, straining from prostate symptoms, obesity, and raised intra-abdominal pressure increase risk. Prior groin repair can recur.

• Symptoms+−

  Tap for details

  The typical finding is a groin bulge that appears or enlarges with standing, coughing, or straining and may shrink lying down. Pressure, burning, or activity-related pain can occur. Some hernias are subtle. Descent into the scrotum spreads the swelling lower.

  • Groin bulge that grows with effort
  • Pressure or pain with coughing / straining
  • Scrotal extension in selected cases
  • Irreducible bulge with nausea/vomiting — emergency warning
• Diagnosis+−

  Tap for details

  Standing and straining examination is enough for most patients. Ultrasound helps when the picture is unclear. CT or MRI is reserved for selected cases. Distinguishing femoral hernia from other groin masses matters clinically.

• Treatment options+−

  Tap for details

  Symptomatic inguinal hernias are usually repaired surgically, most often with mesh. Open, laparoscopic TEP/TAPP, and robotic repairs are chosen by hernia type, laterality, recurrence, prior surgery, and overall health. Very small asymptomatic defects may be observed in selected patients.

• TEP versus TAPP in brief+−

  Tap for details

  Both place mesh in the preperitoneal plane. TEP stays outside the peritoneal cavity; TAPP enters the abdomen, opens a peritoneal flap, places mesh, and closes the flap. Final mesh position is similar; the path differs.

• When to seek urgent care+−

  Tap for details · key note inside

  An irreducible bulge with rising pain, redness, nausea, vomiting, or inability to pass gas/stool can mean incarceration or strangulation — seek emergency surgical review without delay.

More chapters in this hub

• Umbilical Hernia

  Navel bulge — when size and symptoms push toward repair

• Incisional Hernia

  Scar hernia — CT planning and mesh reconstruction

• Hiatal Hernia

  Stomach in the chest — reflux and anti-reflux repair

• Balloonless TEP Hernia Repair

  Total extraperitoneal repair without balloon dissection

• Hernia Surgery Methods

  Open, TEP, and TAPP — how surgeons choose an approach

• Robotic Hernia Repair

  Robotic hernia repair: what the procedure aims to do and who it fits