Q. What is inguinal hernia?

A. Inguinal hernia is a condition that occurs when fatty tissue or a part of the intestine pokes through a weakened abdominal wall area to either side of the inguinal canal (a passage present on each side of the lower abdomen that connects to the genitals).

Q. Can I live with an inguinal hernia without surgery?

A. Yes, if your hernia does not cause any pain or discomfort, you can live with an inguinal hernia. However, the hernia will most likely become bigger in size with time and may lead to complications like incarceration (the contents of the hernia become trapped in the abdominal wall causing bowel obstruction) or strangulation (a life-threatening condition in which the blood supply to the intestine is cut off), which may need emergency treatment.

Q. Which doctor do I need to go to for my inguinal hernia treatment?

A. You need to visit a general surgeon for inguinal hernia repair surgery.

Q. Why does an inguinal hernia occur?

A. An inguinal hernia may occur due to the following reasons: Increase in abdominal pressure Pre-existing weak spot in the wall of the abdomen Straining during bowel movements or urination Chronic coughing or sneezing Pregnancy Strenuous activity

Q. Which age groups get affected by an inguinal hernia?

A. Inguinal hernia can happen in any age group, including children, but is most commonly seen in people above 45 years of age.

Q. Is inguinal hernia more common in men?

A. Yes, men are eight times more prone to developing inguinal hernia than women.

Q. What are the different ways in which inguinal hernia repair can be done?

A. Inguinal hernia repair surgery can be done in the following ways: Herniotomy: The procedure involves band excision of the tissue that constricts the protruding structures and then pushes them back into their place. Herniorrhaphy: The procedure involves herniotomy followed by suturing (stitching) of the defect in the abdominal wall. Hernioplasty: The procedure involves providing additional reinforcement to the defect in the abdominal wall following repair by using a synthetic mesh.

Q. Is inguinal hernia surgery painful?

A. You will not feel any pain during the procedure, as the procedure is performed under anesthesia. However, you may have post-surgical pain that may persist for a couple of weeks.

Q. How do I reduce my risk of developing another inguinal hernia after treatment?

A. Although there are certain factors that you cannot control, some of the following precautions may prevent the chances of inguinal hernia recurrence: Maintain a healthy weight Eat a healthy, high-fiber diet Avoid heavy lifting Quit smoking

Q. What is the cost of inguinal hernia surgery in India?

A. The cost of inguinal hernia surgery varies depending on the type of hernia repair done, the technique used for the procedure, and the overall health condition of the patient. The cost of inguinal hernia surgery varies among different doctors in different hospitals. On average, the cost of inguinal hernia surgery in India is between INR 60,000 to INR 2,50,000. Cost of Inguinal Hernia Surgery in India CITY COST Mumbai 70000 INR- 250000 INR Bangalore 65000 INR- 200000 INR Delhi 65000 INR- 200000 INR Chennai 60000 INR- 200000 INR

Inguinal Hernia Surgery at Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru

Inguinal hernia is more commonly seen in men compared to women. It is also known as a groin hernia. It occurs when the fat from the abdomen or intestines protrudes through the lower part of the abdominal wall into the groin.

The condition may be seen in the right or left inguinal canal (a passage that is present on each side of the lower abdomen and connects to the genitals).
An inguinal hernia could lead to complications like incarcerated hernia (when the contents of the hernia become trapped in the abdominal wall leading to bowel obstruction) and strangulated hernia (a life-threatening condition in which the blood supply to the intestine is cut off).

Types:
Based on the type of surgery performed, inguinal hernia surgery can be of the following types:

Herniotomy: It involves the excision of the band of tissue constricting the protruding structures and then pushing them back into their place.
Herniorrhaphy: Herniotomy is followed by suturing or stitching the defect in the abdominal wall.
Hernioplasty: It involves providing additional reinforcement to the defect in the abdominal wall after repair using a synthetic mesh.

Risk factors:

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing an inguinal hernia and may include the following:

More common in men
Old age
White race
Family history
Chronic or long-term constipation
Chronic cough
Pregnancy
Premature birth
Low birth weight
History of inguinal hernia
History of hernia repair surgery

Minimum Price : 70000 Maximum Price : 200000

Symptoms

Symptoms :

The following symptoms are associated with an inguinal hernia:

Heaviness or pressure on the groin
Bulge in the area on either side of the pubic bone, which becomes more apparent on standing upright, coughing, or straining
Aching sensation or burning at the bulge
Pain or discomfort in the groin region, especially when coughing, lifting, or bending over
Pain and swelling around the testicles (rare)
Symptoms in children may include the following:
Visible bulge when coughing, crying, standing for a long time, or straining during a bowel movement
Irritability
Loss of appetite

Causes:
Certain inguinal hernias have no apparent cause. Other types of inguinal hernias may occur due to:

Increased abdominal pressure
Pregnancy
Pre-existing weak spot in the wall of the abdomen
Straining during urination or bowel movements
Strenuous activity
Chronic sneezing or coughing

Diagnosis

The following tests may be recommended before an inguinal hernia surgery:

Physical examination: The doctor will check the patient’s abdomen and check for the presence of any bulge on standing, coughing, or straining. The patient’s medical history and symptoms are also evaluated by the doctor.
Blood tests: Underlying medical conditions may be detected using blood tests.
Chest x-ray: It helps the doctor in checking the condition of the heart and lungs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): The electrical activity of the heart can be measured using an ECG.
Imaging tests: The doctor may recommend imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, or abdominal ultrasounds to obtain clear images of the abdomen.

Treatment

Inguinal hernia surgery may be performed under local anesthesia (the treatment area is numbed) or general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure). The procedure can be performed using one of the following techniques:

1. Open surgery:

This type of surgery is performed in cases of large hernias.
The surgeon makes a large incision or cut in the abdominal area.
The surgeon will then perform the procedure of herniotomy, herniorrhaphy, or hernioplasty to repair the hernia.
The incision made is then closed using sutures or staples.

2. Laparoscopic surgery:

This is a minimally-invasive procedure recommended in cases of small hernias.
The procedure involves making several small keyhole incisions in the abdomen.
Certain special surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions made. One of these instruments is a thin tube having a camera on one end, called a laparoscope, through which the surgeon can view the surgical site and perform the procedure.
Hernia repair is carried out by the surgical instruments inserted.
A mesh may sometimes be inserted to increase the strength of the weakened abdominal wall through which the herniation has occurred.
After the completion of the procedure, the incisions are closed using sutures.
The procedure involves lesser scarring, lesser pain, and quicker recovery compared to open surgery.

3. Robot-assisted surgery:

The surgery is performed using a laparoscopic technique.
It is performed by robotic arms that are guided by the surgeon.
The procedure offers greater precision compared to the other techniques used.

Risks

Inguinal hernia surgery may have the following complications:

Pain
Infection
Bleeding
Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent used
Blood clot formation
Fluid or blood build-up in the space left by the hernia
Blood vessel damage
Nerve damage
Recurrence of hernia
Damage to the surrounding organs or tissues, like the testicles

After Procedure

You can usually go home on the same day after the surgery. If you have any complications, you may need to stay for a longer time in the hospital.
Some men could have trouble passing urine after the surgery and may need a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) inserted into the bladder for a short period to drain urine.
You should eat a healthy, high-fiber diet after the surgery to avoid constipation.
Drink lots of fluids throughout the day.
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a few weeks after the surgery.
Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for the wound.
Most patients can resume their daily work and light activities within two weeks of the surgery.
Complete recovery after a laparoscopic procedure may take about two to three weeks.
Complete recovery following an open surgery may take about four to six weeks.

Home remedies:

The following home remedies may help in relieving the symptoms associated with an inguinal hernia:

Wearing hernia belts
Hold the hernia while straining or coughing
Take light walks or exercise every day
Do yoga
Avoid processed foods
Maintain a healthy weight
Apply an ice pack to the hernia
Eat a fiber-rich diet
Consume ginger root

Cost:

The cost of inguinal hernia surgery in Mumbai is between INR 68,000 to INR 2,50,000.
The cost of inguinal hernia surgery in Delhi is between INR 65,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of inguinal hernia surgery in Bangalore is between INR 65,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of inguinal hernia surgery in Chennai is between INR 62,000 to INR 2,00,000.