Inguinal hernia and its treatment
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion in the groin area that occurs when the support structures of the groin area fail and the contents of the abdominal cavity bulge through the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal. The hernia appears as a bulge under the skin. A hernia can occur at any time without any actual cause, but, sometimes, an inguinal hernia is caused by physical effort, such as lifting a heavy object.
It is often small at first, but grows gradually. Many people notice the hernia when it is about the size of a plum. When touched by hand, the hernia feels quite soft, and when lying down or pressing with your hand, it may become invisible. The size of the hernia may also vary during the day.
A hernia may cause pinching or tearing pain, especially when moving, but it may also be completely asymptomatic. If the hernia is painful or otherwise causes harm, it is advisable to see a doctor. The hernia can be treated with surgery.
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When should you see a doctor for an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernias are a very common problem which occurs in almost one out of three males at some point in their lives. In women, it is less common and less than 10% of women get it. Inguinal hernias can occur at any age, but as you get older, they become more common.
- It is not necessary to operate on the asymptomatic inguinal hernia, but it will also not heal without surgery.
- If the hernia causes pain or other harm, it is advisable to see a doctor.
- The smaller the hernia, the easier it is to treat with surgery.
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If the hernia is exceptionally painful, medical attention should be sought immediately, regardless of the time of day. A new, severe pain in the hernia can be a sign of a rare and dangerous strangulated hernia. When a hernia is strangulated, the intestine in the hernial sac can roll around itself, blocking its blood supply. In the worst case, the strangulated hernia can lead to gangrene or intestinal perforation.
Treatment of inguinal hernia with surgery
The inguinal hernia is treated with surgery, in which the contents of the hernia are pushed back into the abdominal cavity and the weak point of the groin, the hernia opening, is strengthened with a synthetic mesh. The mesh prevents hernia recurrence.
The inguinal hernia can be operated either with open or endoscopic surgery. The recovery from endoscopic surgery is faster, but the outcome of both operations is equally good.
At Mehiläinen, inguinal hernia surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The procedure takes between half an hour to an hour, and after the operation, the patient must stay in the recovery room for a couple of hours. The patient can go home the very same day.
After the operation, pain medication can be taken according to instructions. Movement promotes recovery, and normal walking is allowed immediately after the operation.
However, any effort more vigorous than walking should be avoided after endoscopic surgery for between a few days to a week, and after open surgery for two weeks. Sick leave of 1–2 weeks is typically required, depending on the job.
Price of inguinal hernia surgery
The price of open inguinal hernia surgery starts from approximately EUR 3,000 and the price of endoscopic surgery from EUR 5,000. Open surgery is less expensive than endoscopic surgery as fewer special instruments are needed.
If you are suffering from an inguinal hernia, book an appointment with a specialist in gastroenterological surgery. You can also ask about hernias at a general practitioner's or occupational health physician 's appointment.
The expert interviewed for the article is specialist in gastroenterology surgery Johanna Savikko.
