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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
An inguinal hernia occurs when soft tissue — usually part of the intestine — protrudes through a weak point or tear in your lower abdominal wall. The resulting bulge can be painful — especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object.
Not necessarily dangerous by itself, an inguinal hernia doesn't get better or go away on its own. An inguinal hernia can lead to life-threatening complications. For this reason, your doctor is likely to recommend surgical repair of an inguinal hernia that's painful or becoming larger. Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure.
- Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Patient information for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI06. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Dedemadi G, et al. Laparoscopic versus open mesh repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: A meta-analysis of outcomes. The American Journal of Surgery. 2010;200:291.
- Ramsook C, et al. Overview of inguinal hernia in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Ramsook C, et al. Overview of treatment for inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Ramsook C, et al. Classification and diagnosis of inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Goroll AH, et al. Approach to the patient with an external hernia. In: Goroll AH, et al. Primary Care Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:496.
- Matthews RD, et al. Inguinal hernia in the 21st century: An evidence-based review. Current Problems in Surgery. 2008;45:261.
- Jenkins JT, et al. Inguinal hernias. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:269.
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