Inguinal hernias are often promoted by weak connective tissue in the abdominal region. According to common perception, predominantly women should be affected by the so-called hernias. But in reality, 90 percent of all inguinal hernias are attributable to the “stronger” sex. What many do not know: If left untreated, hernias can be life-threatening and should therefore always be operated on. Innovative hernia meshes can be used to permanently and safely close the hernia site. Thanks to the high-tech meshes, those treated are mobile again after only a short time and do not suffer from tension pain, which can be associated with conventional suture procedures.
What is a hernia?
An inguinal hernia is often contracted by people who are under a lot of physical strain at work or who simply play a lot of sports: Due to an abrupt, violent movement, part of their peritoneum and intestine “slips” out of the abdominal cavity and becomes palpable and visible as a small protrusion in the groin. The fact that men are particularly often affected by this is due, among other things, to their anatomy.
Normally, the intestine is securely enclosed in the abdominal cavity by the peritoneum and a firm layer of muscle. However, our abdominal muscle layer has a natural gap in the groin: The vas deferens runs through it in men, and the much thinner maternal ligament runs through it in women. It becomes life-threatening if parts of the intestine also slip through this gap – then the blood supply to this important digestive organ can be pinched off.
Weakness of connective tissue as a risk factor
If a man does not have intact connective tissue, the risk of a hernia increases: it can no longer close the natural gap properly during jerky movements. Such a collagen defect is often genetic and is “passed on” in the family. Incidentally, nicotine is an additional risk: smokers are significantly more likely to develop a disorder of the connective tissue structure. For a long time, inguinal hernias were closed with a simple suture. However, these operations often resulted in a secondary hernia. Not infrequently, those operated on also suffered from an annoying feeling of tension in the area of the scar.
Permanent stabilization
Innovative hernia meshes are available today as an alternative to sutures. They can be used to permanently close inguinal and umbilical hernias; the likelihood of the hernia reopening is low. In addition, those treated are usually free of feelings of tension and pain after the procedure and can quickly resume their physical activities.
A positive side effect is that because many hernia meshes are minimally invasive, the procedure leaves few scars and the wound heals more quickly. Dr. Helmar Gai, an expert in inguinal and abdominal hernias at the Fleetinsel Clinic in Hamburg, has already operated on numerous Bundesliga players and also advises team doctors: “Professional soccer players in particular have a high risk of inguinal hernia. Because the players often have to be fit for action again after just one week, we usually use hernia meshes on them, which we implant in a minimally invasive way.”
Whether an inguinal hernia can be treated with a hernia mesh should be clarified individually with the physician. Especially if the hernia is caused by a weakness in the connective tissue or if the patient has had a hernia before, the mesh can be a good alternative to suture procedures.
