Inguinal

Presentation

Inguinal hernias present as a lump in the groin enlarging towards the scrotum.

If the hernia is large it may extend into the scrotum and is called an 'inguino-scrotal hernia'. Many are painless, others may cause a dragging sensation in the groin or pain (especially on exertion). Usually the lump will go away when the patient lies down or the lump may be pushed back into the abdomen.

If the lump will not go away the hernia is 'irreducible'. If the hernia sac contains bowel, the bowel may become kinked and cause a blockage. This is an 'obstructed hernia' and presents with abdominal pain, distension, vomiting and constipation. If the hernia causes a lot of pain and is tender to the touch it is 'strangulated' - this means that the contents of the hernia are being deprived of their blood supply:

Obstructed and strangulated hernias require emergency treatment.

Recurrent hernias are those which arise at a site that has been repaired in the past. Some patients have a hernia in each groin - 'bilateral inguinal hernia'.