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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffMost inguinal hernias enlarge over time if they're not repaired surgically. Large hernias can put pressure on surrounding tissues — in men they may extend into the scrotum, causing pain and swelling.
But the most serious complication of an inguinal hernia occurs when a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall (incarcerated hernia). This may obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
It can also diminish blood flow to the trapped portion of the intestine — a condition called strangulation — that may lead to the death of the affected bowel tissues. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery.
- Brooks DC. Classification and development of groin hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Brooks DC. Treatment of groin hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Inguinal hernia. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec21/ch238/ch238j.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Patient information for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). http://www.sages.org/publication/id/PI06/. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Ramsook C, et al. Overview of inguinal hernia in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
