Inguinal Hernia Surgery Dubai
An inguinal hernia is a condition where tissue bulges through the weak area of the abdominal muscles at the groin and may lead to pain and other problems if left untreated. Yugen Care specializes in the performance of inguinal hernia surgery in Dubai; both open and laparoscopic methods are used for the repair. Our professional surgeons perform surgeries that do not cause much pain as they have fast healing and permanent results. Our services are individualized to address your conditions and focus on patient-centred care and comfort. Inguinal hernias do not have to disrupt your life, and with the dedicated care of Yugen Care professionals and the most modern facilities, you can return to a normal life.
What is an inguinal hernia?
A hernia occurs when tissue from one body cavity bulges through an opening in muscle wall into another. Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They happen when abdominal tissue, such as belly fat or a loop of intestines, bulges through an opening in your lower abdominal wall . This is the wall that separates your abdomen from your groin.
Inguinal hernias occur in the inguinal canal, which is a passageway that runs down either side of pelvis into sex organs. They’re also called groin hernias. (“Inguinal” means “in the groin.”) They’re the most common type of groin hernia, though not the only type.
Who does inguinal hernia affect?
For reasons of anatomy, inguinal hernias usually affect male, by a ratio of 10:1. The testicle begins above your lower abdominal wall and descends through the inguinal canal into your scrotum. The place where the testicle passes through is more susceptible to a hernia because it’s a preexisting opening, which is more easily reopened. And, sometimes, it doesn’t close all the way during development in the first place.
In females, the inguinal canal is narrower and begins under their abdominal wall. It carries the round ligament that supports their uterus, and this tough ligament helps to reinforce their muscle wall. However, women with connective tissue diseases may be more susceptible to hernias where connective tissue attaches their uterus to their inguinal canal. Congenital indirect inguinal hernias may also affect newborn females.
How serious is an inguinal hernia?
Hernias aren’t always serious, but serious complications can develop. Hernias do tend to worsen over time. As the opening becomes weaker and wider, more tissue can push through it. The more tissue pushes through, the more likely it is to become trapped. This can be painful, and in extreme cases, can be dangerous. Once trapped, a piece of your intestine could become pinched and blocked, or the tissue could become cut off from your blood supply.
If the hernia already causes discomfort, the recommendation is fixing it in surgery before it becomes worse. If there are no symptoms yet, they may just wait and watch it for a while, but most inguinal hernias will become symptomatic with time. Pediatricians generally recommend treating children with inguinal hernias immediately, as their risk of complications is greater.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of an inguinal hernia?
Not all inguinal hernias have symptoms. Sometimes, symptoms come and go. A hernia may slide in and out of the opening, or you may only feel it during certain activities. In children, you may see a lump in their groin area that appears bigger when they cry. It may go away when they sleep.
You might notice:
- A bulge in groin area on either side of your pubic bone. It can go into your scrotum or labia.
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness in groin.
- Pain in groin, especially when straining, lifting, coughing or bending over.
- A burning or pinching sensation that may radiate through your pelvis or down your leg.
What is the main cause of inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia occurs when there’s a weakness or opening in lower abdominal wall that allows abdominal tissue to push through. Many things can contribute to this, including:
- An opening or weak spot that’s present at birth.
- Congenital differences in the strength of your connective tissue (collagen).
- An opening or weak spot from previous abdominal surgery.
- Chronic coughing or sneezing.
- Chronic straining to urinate.
- Frequent strenuous exercise or manual labor.
- Years of pregnancy and carrying small children.
- Jobs that require standing for many hours at a time.
- Intra-abdominal pressure from chronic obesity.
- Normal age-related tissue degeneration.
FAQ
What are the possible complications of an inguinal hernia?
Enlargement over time.
The pressure of an existing hernia on weakened tissues can have a snowball effect, making things worse. In males, an enlarged testicular hernia that moves down into your scrotum can cause painful swelling.
Incarceration.
An incarcerated hernia is one that can’t be “reduced” — physically moved back into place. A trapped hernia is more likely to become pinched as it grows bigger, causing pain and other complications.
Small bowel obstruction.
If part of small intestine is herniated and becomes trapped and pinched, it can cause a blockage, severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Strangulation. A strangulated hernia has been cut off from blood supply. This can lead to inflammation and infection of the tissue, and eventually tissue death (gangrene). Strangulation is a medical emergency.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is an inguinal hernia diagnosed?
- A physical examination is usually enough to diagnose an inguinal hernia.
- Imaging test to see it from the inside. An ultrasound will usually do the trick, but in rare cases, they may need to use something more specific, such as a CT scan.
Management and Treatment
What is the best treatment for inguinal hernia?
It is recommended to do surgery for most inguinal hernias, and for all in children. Most inguinal hernias will eventually cause symptoms, and children and women are more at risk of dangerous complications. For adults male with small hernias that aren’t causing symptoms, they may take a wait-and-watch approach. But most will need treatment eventually.
What will happen if an inguinal hernia is left untreated?
Inguinal hernias don’t improve by themselves. They usually worsen. You won’t necessarily have complications, but the risk does increase over time. The risk is highest for children because they’re still growing and their hernias will enlarge at a faster rate. Children also tend to have indirect hernias, which are more likely to go into their scrotum. An inguinal hernia in a child shouldn’t be left untreated.
Groin hernias in females are rarer but tend to be more serious. A woman with an inguinal hernia is likely to also have a hidden femoral hernia behind it, which will only be found through surgery. Femoral hernias have a higher risk of complications, and 50% of hidden femoral hernias in female require emergency surgery.