Inguinal hernia

Diagnosis: INGUINAL HERNIA
(HERNIA INGUINALIS)


Anatomy:
The various muscles of the abdominal wall are penetrated by the inguinal canal, which contains nerves (N ilioinguinalis and the genital branch of N genitofemoralis) and in men the spermatic cord (funilicus spermaticus). In women the inguinal canal instead contains a small fibrous ligament. Where the inguinal canal penetrates the abdominal wall weak spots arise (anulus inguinalis superficialis and anulus inguinalis profundus).

  1. M. recti abdominis
  2. Funiculus spermaticus
  3. Ligamentum inguinale
  4. Spina iliaca anterior superior
  5. M. obliquus externus abdominis

Inguinal canal

  1. Anulus inguinalis superficialis
  2. Crus mediale
  3. Funiculus spermaticus et m. cremaster
  4. V. femoralis
  5. Hiatus saphenus
  6. Lig. lacunare
  7. Anulus femoralis
  8. Margo falciformis (cornu superius)
  9. Lig inguinale
  10. Fibrae intercrurales
  11. M. obliquus externus abdominis

Right inguinal canal

Cause: If the abdominal wall becomes too weak, the intestines can be pressed through the weak spots in the abdominal wall causing a hernia.

Symptoms: Pain in the groin, aggravated when coughing. Sometimes a swelling in the groin is visible. Usually the swelling (containing intestine) can be pushed into place. If the swelling is painful and cannot be pressed into place the hernia may be strangulated (which requires acute medical assistance).

Examination: In obvious cases with visible swelling in the groin the diagnosis is easy to make. With lack of swelling in the groin the diagnosis is naturally difficult (article 1). A normal medical examination is usually sufficient in order to make the diagnosis, however, if there is any doubt concerning the diagnosis a MRI-scan or a dynamic ultrasound scan, where weaknesses in the abdominal wall can be detected while increasing the pressure in the abdominal cavity by applying pressure can be performed (article 2), (article 3).

Treatment: With modest discomfort, you can primarily attempt training of the abdominal muscles (article) . If discomfort continues, surgery is advised. If strangulated hernia is suspected you should seek acute medical assistance to evaluate the indication for acute surgery, as there is a risk of lasting damage to the intestine. With uncomplicated surgery, a relief period of approx. two months should be expected before maximal sports activity can be resumed (very dependent on the sport in question).

Rehabilitation of children and adolescents: In normal cases, sports activity will be able to be resumed after a few weeks without special rehabilitation. See: Rehabilitation of children and adolescents in general