Do you know what is hernia? A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the lining of an organ through the wall of the cavity, commonly abdomen that normally contains it. The common contents are part of intestine or abdominal fat tissue, lined by a thin membrane which will form hernial sac. It will usually appear when there is increase in the abdominal pressure and will dissappear when lying down. This phenomenon is called ‘reducible’.

Type of Hernia

•Inguinal hernia: Occurs in groin. Seventy five percent of abdominal hernias are of this type. It occurs 25 times more common in male than in female. Inguinal hernias are divided into 2 types; direct and indirect. Both can be differentiated  based on their origins eventhough the swelling may look the same. It is important to recognize which type of inguinal hernia in the clinical diagnosis.

*Indirect inguinal hernia: This occurs when a portion of the intestine slips through the inguinal canal via the internal opening of the inguinal canal. This canal was once going through by testes from within the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. It usually closes around the time of birth, however in this situation it remains open. It can happen in all ages. Sometimes the hernial sac can protrude into the scrotum.

*Direct inguinal hernia: It occurs when hernia contents push through a weak spot in the abdominal area which is relatively thin. It does not extend into the scrotum. Unlike Indirect Inguinal Hernia, Direct Inguinal Hernia tends to occur in the middle aged and elderly people when abdominal wall becomes weaker as the age increases.

•Femoral Hernia: Femoral canal is the passage where femoral artery, vein and nerve exit from abdomen into femoral area. Usually this canal is tight and compact, but it can become loose and expanded which will allow abdominal contents to protrude out through it. Femoral hernia causes swelling at the mid thigh just below the inguinal fold. Commonly occurs in female and tends to become irreducible where it cannot be pushed in.

•Incisional hernia: Abdominal surgery may result in changes in the abdominal wall architecture especially along the incised area. This area will become weak and will cause hernia to occur. It happens in 2-10% of abdominal surgery