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Inguinal hernia

Dr Roberto Schubert and Dr Yuranga Weerakkody et al.

An inguinal herniation is a type of abdominal wall hernia ¹.

Epidemiology

They are commonest type abdominal wall herniation ( up to 80% ³) and are most often acquired. There is recognised male predilection with a M : F ratio of up to 7 : 1 ³.

Classification

It is broadly divided into two types

indirect inguinal hernia
- commoner
- herniates lateral to the inferior epigastric artery ²
- anterior to the spermatic cord in males ⁸
- follows the round ligament in females ⁸
direct inguinal hernia
- less common
- herniates medial to the inferior epigastric artery ²
- often through a defect in the Hesselbach triangle

Complications

Complications can be that of any other abdomimal wall herniation and includes

Compaired with other types abdominal wall hernias, the incidence of complications is considered lower ³.

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