Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia is a lump in the groin that occurs when in most of the cases a part of your gut (intestine) or any other abdominal organs pushes through a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Inguinal hernias are most common in males. They may be present at birth or develop later in life. Straining, heavy lifting, coughing or being overweight increases the pressure within the abdomen, and this puts strain on the muscles in the groin area.

A hernia isn't dangerous in itself, but if it isn't treated there is a high chance to get larger and become more uncomfortable. There is a risk that the gut will get trapped inside cutting off the blood supply to the hernia contents (strangulation), causing life-threatening conditions such as gangrene and peritonitis(inflammation of the membrane covering the abdominal wall). It may result in the gut becoming blocked (obstructed).
Without an operation, your hernia will get bigger and become more painful and uncomfortable, especially when you bend or lift. The bulge also can gradually move into the scrotum, making it swollen and sore. You may experience discomfort while execising, or having sex. Other symptoms, like burning sensation in the groin, gurgling in the part of the bowel inside the lump may also occur.
In most cases hernias only cause some discomfort but somethimes they may strangulate.

What happens during the operation?
The operation takes between 30 minutes and 50 minutes. You may be able to go home the same day, but some people stay in hospital overnight.
Before the operation, you'll need to go to the toilet to empty your bladder. If your bladder is full, it's more likely to get damaged during the operation. It may also block the surgeon's view of your hernia.
In most of the cases it is done in general anaesthesia, but may also be done in the regional or local way.
You'll need to have the hair in your groin area shaved off.

Your surgeon makes a small cut(about 5 to 10 centimetres long) through your groin.
If you have a hernia that is bulging through a hole in your muscles (a direct hernia), the bowel and fat can be pushed back into place through the muscle. If you have a hernia that is going down the gap between muscles (an indirect hernia), the thin film around the hernia (the hernia sac) is stitched up and cut away or, sometimes, pushed back.
The surgeon usually covers the hole in the muscle with a patch of tissue friendly non absorbable plastic mesh. This strengthens the muscle to stop your bowel slipping through again. You'll probably need stitches to close the wound.

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