An
inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal or pelvic contents through a
dilated internal inguinal ring or attenuated inguinal floor into the inguinal
canal and usually, but not always, out of the external inguinal ring, causing a
visible or easily palpable bulge.
Presents
with visible or easily palpable swelling in the groin, often with discomfort
during strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Complications
are rare but include incarceration, bowel obstruction, and strangulation.
Diagnosis
is usually clinical; imaging may be helpful where there is doubt about
diagnosis, but also identifies many clinically insignificant apparent hernias.
Surgical repair remains the mainstay of therapy, although watchful waiting is reasonable in adults with minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia.
