Inguinal hernia – colloquially called inguinal hernia – (synonyms: inguinal hernia; inguinal hernia; ICD-10-GM K40.-: hernia inguinalis) is a hernia of the viscera in the region of the inguinal canal.
Inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia.
A distinction can be made between a direct (medial) and an indirect (lateral) inguinal hernia, with more than 70% belonging to indirect hernias. Direct hernias, unlike indirect hernias, do not pass through the inguinal canal. Indirect inguinal hernias can be congenital (congenital) or acquired, direct hernias are always acquired.
In addition to the indirect and direct hernias mentioned above, there are also femoral hernias. These account for only 5% of all inguinal hernias.In femoral hernia (femoral hernia; femoral hernia; thigh hernia), the hernial orifice is between the ligamentum inguinale (Latin for inguinal ligament) and the pelvic wall, i.e., in contrast to inguinal hernia, below the inguinal ligament.
Furthermore, inguinal hernia can be differentiated according to its size:
- Hernia incipiens – protrusion of the hernia sac into the inguinal canal.
- Hernia completa – hernia with hernia sac on the outer inguinal ring.
- Hernia scrotalis – hernia with hernia sac in the scrotum (scrotum).
- Hernia labialis – hernia that extends into the labia (labia).
Sex ratio: males to females is 6-8: 1.
Frequency peak: the disease occurs mainly in the 6th decade of life and in infants.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is 2% in males (in Germany). In premature infants, the prevalence is 5-25%. The lifetime risk is 3% for a woman and 27% for a man.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) is approximately 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year (in Germany).
Course and prognosis: An inguinal hernia should be operated on in good time, otherwise there is a risk of incarceration (life-threatening entrapment of intestines). Incarcerated intestinal segments may die. Operated inguinal hernias usually heal without consequences. Inguinal hernia occurs recurrently (recurring). The recurrence rate depends on the surgical procedure:
- 0.5-1.5% – open Lichtenstein method.
- 1-2% – endoscopic method
- 3-5 % – open shouldic method
