What is an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia is a common type of hernia, causing a lump and sometimes pain in your groin.

What are the benefits?

You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent the serious complications that a hernia can cause, helping you go back to your normal activities.

Are there any alternatives?

Inguinal hernias can be repaired using keyhole surgery and this may be appropriate for you.

You can sometimes control the hernia with a truss (padded support belt) or simply leave it alone. It will not get better without surgery.

What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure or the procedure is delayed?

Sometimes, the hernia can get larger with time.

Symptoms that may suggest a strangulated hernia are:

• severe pain
• a hernia that will not disappear when you lie down
• vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms you must call your healthcare team immediately as you may need an urgent procedure.

What does the procedure involve?

Different kinds of anaesthetic are possible.

The procedure usually takes about 45 minutes.

Your surgeon will make a cut on your groin and remove the 'hernial sac'. They will strengthen the muscle layer with stitches, usually inserting a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot, and close your skin.

How can I prepare myself for the procedure?

If you smoke, stopping now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help you prepare for the procedure, help you recover and improve your long-term health. Do not do exercises that involve heavy lifting or make your hernia painful. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, have other health problems or you smoke. Health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Possible complications of this procedure are shown below. Some can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any procedure

• Bleeding during or after the procedure.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE) — this is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis - DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
• Chest infection — your risk is lower if you do not smoke or have stopped smoking, and have not had a recent cough or cold.

Specific complications of this procedure

• Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound.
• Difficulty passing urine. You may need a catheter (tube) in your bladder for 1 to 2 days.
• Injury to structures that come from your abdomen and are within the hernia.
• Temporary weakness of your leg.
• Continued discomfort or pain in your groin. This is usually mild but can be severe. You may need more treatment.
• Damage to nerves that supply the skin around your groin, leading to a numb patch.
• Damage to the blood supply of your testicle. Your testicle on the same side as the procedure may shrink and not work.
• The hernia coming back. You may need another procedure.

Consequences of this procedure

• pain
• scarring of your skin

What happens after the procedure?

You should be able to go home the same day.

Increase how much you walk around over the first few days.

You should be able to return to work and normal activities after 2 weeks to 4 weeks, depending on your recovery and the type of work you do. Your doctor may tell you not to do any manual work for a while. Do not lift anything heavy for at least 6 weeks.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.

Summary

An inguinal hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdomen, near the inguinal canal. If left untreated, an inguinal hernia can cause serious complications.

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