The condition:
A hernia, sometimes referred to as a rupture,
occurs when a part of an internal organ,
sometimes the bowel, pushes through a weak
point in the abdominal wall.
An inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia is the most common type of
hernia, and twenty times more common in men
than in women. It is likely that about 1 in 20 men
will develop an inguinal herniai. The inguinal
canal is in the groin. The first signs of a hernia
are pain and/or a lump.
The operation:
Open repair
Open surgery is performed under a general,
spinal or local anaesthetic to repair the weakness
in the abdominal wall.
A small cut is made at the site of the hernia. The
weak area is repaired. Sometimes the weak
area is reinforced with mesh.
Risks of this procedure:
There are some risks/ complications.
(a) Trouble passing urine after the operation due to
spasm of the bladder sphincter.
(b) Swelling of the testicle and scrotum in male
patients. Also the penis may show bruising. The
testicle may stop making sperm and it may
shrink.
(c) The tube carrying sperm from the testicle to the
prostate may be injured. This results in partial
vasectomy and may reduce fertility.
(d) One of the small nerves in the groin can be cut
or caught in a stitch or scar causing long term
burning and aching in the groin.
(e) The testicle may sit a little higher in the scrotum
after surgery.
(f) The wound may become infected.
(g) Possible bleeding into the wound after the
surgery. This can cause swelling, bruising, blood
stained discharge.
(h) Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may form and
cause bowel obstruction.
(i) The scar can thicken, turn red and may be
painful. This is permanent and can be
disfiguring.
(j) The hernia may come back. Further surgery may
be needed to repair the hernia.
(k) Hernia formation where instruments were
passed into the abdomen.
(l) Increased risk in obese patients of wound
infection, chest infection, heart and lung
complications and thrombosis.
(m) Increased risk in smokers. There is an increased
risk of wound infection, chest infection, heart and
lung complications and thrombosis.
(n) Death is extremely rare due to hernia repair.