What Is an Inguinal Hernia? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Explained
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue from inside the abdomen pushes through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall, creating a bulge in the groin.
It is one of the most common types of hernia and is considerably more common in men than women.
What Are the Symptoms of an Inguinal Hernia?
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some hernias cause very little discomfort initially, while others can interfere with everyday activities.
Common symptoms can include:
A visible or noticeable lump in the groin
Pain or discomfort around the groin
A heavy, dragging or aching sensation
Discomfort when coughing, lifting or bending
A bulge that becomes more noticeable when standing or straining
Anyone concerned about a possible hernia should seek medical assessment rather than attempting to diagnose the condition themselves.
How Are Inguinal Hernias Treated?
The appropriate management depends on the individual patient and characteristics of the hernia.
Established repair methods include open and minimally invasive surgical approaches. Mesh is commonly used to reinforce the weakened area and reduce the likelihood of the hernia recurring.
Laparoscopic surgery represented an important development in reducing the invasiveness of hernia treatment, while robotic-assisted techniques have become another area of investigation. Research continues to compare the benefits and limitations of these approaches. Read More
Could Treatment Become Even Less Invasive?
PerQHern is developing a new approach to inguinal hernia repair using a percutaneous delivery system.
Rather than simply refining an existing surgical technique, the objective is to investigate a fundamentally different way of accessing and repairing an inguinal hernia.
It represents part of a broader movement within healthcare towards treatments designed to reduce the physical burden placed on patients while delivering effective clinical care.
