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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications include:
- Pressure on surrounding tissues. Most 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.
- Incarcerated hernia. This complication of an inguinal hernia occurs when a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall. This may obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
- Strangulation. When part of the intestine is trapped in the abdominal wall (incarcerated hernia), blood flow to this portion of the intestine may be diminished. This condition is called strangulation, and it may lead to the death of the affected bowel tissues. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery.
References
- 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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