Hernias can occur throughout a number of different places in your body, but when they develop in the groin area, they are classified as inguinal hernias. These hernias develop in what’s known as the inguinal canal, and they can have direct or indirect causes. We look at the difference between the two types of inguinal hernias, and explain how each is treated in this blog.
Direct and Indirect Hernias
Here’s a breakdown of the two types of inguinal hernias:
- Direct – A direct inguinal hernia develops over time as a result of straining activities and weakened abdominal wall muscles. This is the most common type of inguinal hernia suffered by adult males, and they are rare in children.
- Indirect – Indirect inguinal hernias are caused by a defect in the abdominal wall, and this defect is usually present at birth. It is more common in children, as it affects about one in 20 newborns. The odds of developing an indirect hernia are greater for premature babies, as it occurs in roughly 30 percent of these infants.
Overall, inguinal hernias are pretty common in men, as medical data suggests about one in four will develop this type of hernia in their lifetime. Inguinal hernias are ten times more likely to develop in males than in females.
The causes of inguinal hernias depend on whether they are direct or indirect in nature. Direct inguinal hernias are typically caused by a moment of overstress or overexertion. Aging also plays a role in the weakening of the muscles in the inguinal canal, as can having previous surgeries in the area. Indirect hernias develop when the inguinal canal opening fails to close completely by the time of birth, which allows a portion of fat or intestine to slip through and cause an indirect hernia. Indirect hernias are the most common type of inguinal hernias due to their propensity to develop in newborns, especially premature babies.
Diagnosing and Treating Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias can be diagnosed in a number of different ways. In adults, direct inguinal hernias are diagnosed using a physical exam or imaging tests, like an X-ray or ultrasound. Similar measures are used to diagnose inguinal hernias in infants, although sometimes they are easier to see with the naked eye.
Inguinal hernias are almost always treated with surgery, especially in infants. Because children are still growing and the hernia could strangulate vital structures, hernia surgery is usually performed as soon as safely possible. In adults, if the hernia is not causing painful symptoms, surgery may be able to be put off. Then again, since the hernia won’t go away on its own, the vast majority of adults with inguinal hernias eventually have it surgically repaired.
The most common surgery for direct or indirect hernia repair is a laparoscopic or minimally invasive option. The surgeon makes a couple small incisions through which tools are inserted to repair the hernia and strengthen the abdominal wall. In some cases, an open repair is required. This involves a larger incision in the groin area so the doctor can visualize the area without the help of a laparoscopic camera, but the overall goal of surgery remains the same.
In either case, complications are rare and healing is relatively swift. For more information about direct or indirect hernias, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
