Inguinal hernia natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]

Overview

The symptoms of inguinal hernia usually develop in the 4th decade of life, and start with symptoms such as bulging, heaviness, burning, or aching in the groin. If left untreated, patients with inguinal hernia may progress to develop incarceration, strangulation. Prognosis is generally good, and mortality is very rare.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

The symptoms of inguinal hernia usually develop in the 4th decade of life, and start with symptoms such as bulging, heaviness, burning, or aching in the groin.
If left untreated, patients with inguinal hernia may progress to develop incarceration, strangulation.^[1]

Complications

Common complications of inguinal hernia include:^[2]^[3]^[4]
- Bruising and haematoma
- Chronic and persisting pain
- Infertility
- Incarceration
- Bowel obstruction
- Bowel strangulation
- Postoperative complications
  - Seroma / hematoma formation
  - Urinary retention
  - Neuralgias
  - Testicular pain and swelling
  - Mesh infection and wound infection
  - Recurrence

Prognosis

Prognosis is generally good, and mortality is very rare.

References

↑ Svendsen SW, Frost P, Vad MV, Andersen JH (2013). “Risk and prognosis of inguinal hernia in relation to occupational mechanical exposures–a systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence”. Scand J Work Environ Health. 39 (1): 5–26. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3305. PMID 22643828.
↑ Jenkins JT, O’Dwyer PJ (2008). “Inguinal hernias”. BMJ. 336 (7638): 269–72. doi:10.1136/bmj.39450.428275.AD. PMC 2223000. PMID 18244999.
↑ Chowbey PK, Pithawala M, Khullar R, Sharma A, Soni V, Baijal M (2006). “Complications in groin hernia surgery and the way out”. J Minim Access Surg. 2 (3): 174–7. PMC 2999781. PMID 21187992.
↑ Ruhl, C. E.; Everhart, J. E. (2007). “Risk Factors for Inguinal Hernia among Adults in the US Population”. American Journal of Epidemiology. 165 (10): 1154–1161. doi:10.1093/aje/kwm011. ISSN 0002-9262.

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[pmid22643828-1] Svendsen SW, Frost P, Vad MV, Andersen JH (2013). “Risk and prognosis of inguinal hernia in relation to occupational mechanical exposures–a systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence”. Scand J Work Environ Health. 39 (1): 5–26. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3305. PMID 22643828.

[pmid18244999-2] Jenkins JT, O’Dwyer PJ (2008). “Inguinal hernias”. BMJ. 336 (7638): 269–72. doi:10.1136/bmj.39450.428275.AD. PMC 2223000. PMID 18244999.

[pmid21187992-3] Chowbey PK, Pithawala M, Khullar R, Sharma A, Soni V, Baijal M (2006). “Complications in groin hernia surgery and the way out”. J Minim Access Surg. 2 (3): 174–7. PMC 2999781. PMID 21187992.

[RuhlEverhart2007-4] Ruhl, C. E.; Everhart, J. E. (2007). “Risk Factors for Inguinal Hernia among Adults in the US Population”. American Journal of Epidemiology. 165 (10): 1154–1161. doi:10.1093/aje/kwm011. ISSN 0002-9262.

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