Hernia

• Alternative Names

  Hernia - inguinal; Inguinal hernia; Rupture

• Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  Usually, there is no obvious cause of a hernia. Sometimes they occur with heavy lifting. Hernias may be present at birth, but the bulging may not be noticeable until later in life. Some patients may have a family history of hernias.

  Hernias can be seen in infants and children. This can happen when the lining around the abdominal organs does not close properly before birth. About 5 out of 100 children have inguinal hernias (more boys than girls). Some children may not have symptoms until they are adults.

  Any activity or medical problem that increases pressure on the abdominal wall tissue and muscles may lead to a hernia, including:

  • Chronic constipation, straining to have bowel movements
  • Chronic cough
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Enlarged prostate, straining to urinate
  • Extra weight
  • Heavy lifting
  • Undescended testicles
• Symptoms

  Most often there are no symptoms. However, sometimes there may be discomfort or pain. The discomfort may be worse when you stand, strain, or lift heavy objects.

• Signs and tests

  A doctor can confirm the presence of a hernia during a physical exam. The mass may increase in size when coughing, bending, lifting, or straining. The hernia (bulge) may not be obvious in infants and children, except when the child is crying or coughing.

• Treatment

  Surgery is the only treatment that can permanently fix a hernia. However, smaller hernias with no symptoms can sometimes be watched. Surgery may have more risk for patients who have serious medical problems.

  Surgery will usually be used for hernias that are getting larger or are painful. Surgery secures the weakened abdominal wall tissue (fascia) and will close any holes.

  An umbilical hernia that fails to heal on its own by the time your child is 5 years old may be repaired.

  Emergency surgery is sometimes needed. The sac containing the intestine or other tissue may become stuck in the hole in the abdominal wall. If it cannot be pushed back through, this can lead to a strangulated loop of intestine. If left untreated, this portion of the intestine dies because it loses its blood supply.

  For information on hernia surgery, see also:

  • Femoral hernia repair
  • Inguinal hernia repair
  • Umbilical hernia repair
• Expectations (prognosis)

  The outcome is usually good with treatment. Recurrence is rare (1-3%).

• Complications

  In rare cases, inguinal hernia repair can damage structures involved in the function of a man's testicles.

  Another risk of hernia surgery is nerve damage, which can lead to numbness in the groin area.

• Calling your health care provider

  Call your doctor right away if:

  • You have a painful hernia and the contents cannot be pushed back into the abdomen using gentle pressure
  • You develop nausea, vomiting, or a fever along with a painful hernia
  • You have a hernia that becomes red, purple, dark, or discolored

  Call your doctor if:

  • You have groin pain, swelling, or a bulge
  • You have a bulge or swelling in the groin or belly button, or that is associated with a previous surgical cut.
• Prevention
  • Use proper lifting techniques.
  • Lose weight if you are overweight.
  • Relieve or avoid constipation by eating plenty of fiber, drinking lots of fluid, going to the bathroom as soon as you have the urge, and exercising regularly.
  • Men should see their health care provider if they strain with urination. This may be a symptom of an enlarged prostate.
• References

  Turnage RH, Richardson KA, Li BD, McDonald JC. Abdominal wall, umbilicus, peritoneum, mesenteries, omentum, and retroperitoneum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 43.

Review Date: 12/13/2009

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.