Groin hernia is the most common surgical
disease and its repair is the commonest surgical procedure performed by general surgeons. We presume that it is
Inguinal Hernia and not the Femoral Hernia which is commoner in females. One may notice a bulge under the skin or may feel pain and observe swelling popping out when one lifts heavy objects during
urination or bowel movements or during prolonged standing or sitting or coughing. Severe, continuous pain, redness and tenderness are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated it should immediately be reported to a surgeon for
emergency surgery. Hernia can be life threatening when strangulation of loop of bowel occurs in the hernia. Surgery is only cure for hernia unless and until there are contraindications to surgery due to poor general health or
organ failure. Two types of surgery are available like Conventional Open Surgery and Laparoscopic (also known as Minimal Access Surgery/ Minimally Invasive Surgery/
Endoscopic surgery). Endoscopic surgery causes much less pain and patients are mobile within hours after surgery. Patient can resume all activities very early in 4-6 hours, and can go back to work within 5-7 days. Both sides can be operated in the same sitting without any extra pain or stay. The cosmetic results are excellent. The use of mesh is desirable in majority of the cases to strengthen the wall whether it is done conventionally or endoscopically (when there is weakness in the wall). Done by properly trained surgeon the surgery is a safe surgery with excellent results. The cost is would be anywhere between Rs.3000/- in a general ward in Public hospital to Rs.30000/- in a Private hospital in Special ward.
There are other types of hernia in abdomen as well like Umblical Hernia which is common after surgical operation and giving away of the sutures or weak wall.