Inguinal hernia: symptoms, how is the surgery and recovery

Inguinal hernia is a lump that appears in the groin area, more frequent in men, which is usually due to a part of the intestine that comes out through a weak point in the abdominal muscles.

There are 2 main types of inguinal hernia:

• Direct inguinal hernia: it is more common in adults and the elderly, occurring after making efforts that increase the pressure in the belly, such as picking up heavy objects; Indirect inguinal hernia: it is more common in babies and children, because it happens due to a congenital problem that allows a piece of the intestine to enter the groin area and even the scrotum.

In both cases, treatment is done with surgery, to return the intestine to the correct location and strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, so that it does not happen again.

Main symptoms

The most common symptoms of inguinal hernia are:

• Lump or swelling in the groin area; Pain or discomfort in the groin when standing up, bending over or lifting weight; Feeling of heaviness in the groin.

In babies, the hernia can be more difficult to identify because there may not be a protrusion in the groin when changing the diaper. However, one way to assess the presence of the hernia is to observe the groin at the time the baby is crying or during a bowel movement or cough, as the pressure caused by these efforts makes the hernia more visible.

In men, in addition to the classic hernia symptoms, there may also be acute pain that radiates to the testicles.

In almost all cases of hernia, the doctor can push the intestine into the abdomen, relieving symptoms, but surgery is always necessary to definitively correct the problem. When the hernia does not return to the interior of the abdomen, there is a high risk of incarceration, in which the intestine is trapped and tissue death can occur.

How to know if the hernia is incarcerated

To know if your bowel is stuck, it is important to be aware of symptoms such as:

• Very severe pain in the hernia; Vomiting; Bloating; Absence of feces; Swelling of the inguinal region.

This type of complication is more frequent in babies, as the hernia is often difficult to identify and, therefore, as the treatment is not started in time, the hernia gets worse over time. Thus, it is advised that if there is a suspected hernia in the baby, consult the pediatrician as soon as possible.

Surgery for Inguinal Hernia

Surgery for inguinal hernia, also known as inguinal hernioplasty, is the best form of treatment, being indicated especially when it has symptoms. The surgery is performed under spinal anesthesia and lasts about 2 hours.

This type of surgery can be done in a classic way, in which a cut is made in the region of the hernia to put the intestine in place, or by laparoscopy, where only 3 small cuts are used, and a synthetic mesh can be placed or not, which helps to strengthen the musculature of the area and prevent the formation of a new hernia. However, the type of surgery depends on the type of hernia and the patient's state of health.

How is recovery

Recovery is relatively quick, but as hernioplasty is almost always done in a classic way, it is usually necessary to stay for 1 to 2 days, to ensure that vital signs are stable and that an infection does not arise.

Then, when returning home it is important to take care, especially during the first 2 weeks, such as:

• Avoid bending the trunk until the wound is completely healed; Do not hold more than 2 kg in weight; Do not sleep on your stomach; Increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber, to avoid constipation and the effort to defecate.

it is also advised that during the first month you should avoid making efforts and sitting too long, so driving is not recommended.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of hernia is usually made by the doctor only with observation of the location. In this physical examination, it is very common for the doctor to ask you to cough or force your belly, to identify if the hernia becomes more protruding, helping to identify it.

However, in some cases, it may be necessary to do other diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, for confirmation.

What causes inguinal hernia

Hernia in the inguinal region occurs when the abdominal wall is weakened, allowing the intestine to put pressure on the muscles and end up exiting under the skin. For this reason, the hernia can only happen when there is a weakening of the abdominal muscles, which is more common in people with:

• Increased abdominal pressure, due to chronic cough or constipation; Congenital defects in the abdominal region, in the case of children; People with obesity and hypertension Smokers.

In addition, hernia is also much more frequent in children or the elderly, due to the fragility of the abdominal wall.

Possible complications

The main complication of the hernia happens when the intestine gets too stuck in the abdominal wall, eventually losing the blood supply. When this happens, the intestinal tissues can start to die, causing severe pain, vomiting, nausea and difficulty moving.

These cases usually only occur in an untreated hernia and should be treated as soon as possible in the hospital to prevent complete tissue death. If this happens, it may be necessary to have surgery to remove a part of the intestine.

In addition, as a consequence of inguinal hernia, there may be the development of scrotal hernia, in which the hernia reaches the scrotum, which is the tissue that surrounds and protects the testicle. Thus, in addition to intestinal strangulation, there may also be changes in the production and storage of sperm, leading to infertility. See more about scrotal hernia.

How to prevent the appearance of a hernia

It is not always possible to prevent the hernia from arising, however, there are some measures that can decrease the risk, such as:

• Practice regular physical exercise, at least 3 times a week, to keep your muscles strengthened; Eat a diet rich in vegetables and other fibers, to decrease the chances of constipation that increases abdominal pressure; Avoid picking up very heavy objects, especially without assistance.

In addition, quitting smoking and maintaining an ideal body weight also helps to reduce pressure in the abdominal region, decreasing the chances of a hernia. Here's how to calculate your ideal weight.