Inguinal hernia

The groin is a triangular area where the abdomen meets the thigh. Due to congenital weakness or defects in the abdominal wall in the groin area, or thinning of the abdominal wall due to old age, when the patient stands, the intra-abdominal organs are affected by gravity or abdominal pressure, moving from their original position and protruding from the defect or weak point towards the body surface, forming a pear-shaped protrusion. This protrusion is called an inguinal hernia, which manifests as a mass in the inguinal region, possibly accompanied by distending pain. When incarceration occurs, the mass enlarges and is accompanied by significant pain. Inguinal hernias can be classified into four types based on their presentation: reducible hernia, irreducible inguinal hernia, incarcerated hernia, and strangulated hernia. For patients, if they have an incarcerated hernia or a strangulated hernia, timely treatment is required, otherwise severe consequences such as small bowel necrosis may occur.