Inguinal hernias are extremely common, and about 800,000 inguinal hernia repair surgeries are performed each year in the United States. These hernias can be divided into two primary types — direct and indirect — depending on where and when they occur. (A third type, a femoral inguinal hernia, is much less common.)
The team at Desert West Surgery has significant experience in all types of hernia repair procedures and treatments. In this post, they describe the basic differences between direct and indirect inguinal hernias to help you understand your condition better.
Inguinal is a medical term that refers to the groin area or the area in your lower belly region. Because of their location, inguinal hernias are sometimes referred to as groin hernias. And while they tend to be most common among men, women (and kids) can develop them, too.
Inguinal hernias occur when part of the intestine or abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the tough abdominal wall. Both direct and indirect inguinal hernias occur in the same general area, but their underlying cause and the way they develop are distinctly different.
A direct inguinal hernia is the type most of us think of when we think about a hernia: It’s the kind that usually causes a lump or bump that’s visible in your lower belly.
The lump forms when abdominal tissue (like intestinal tissue or fat) pushes through an area of your lower belly called Hesselbach’s triangle, a natural area of relative weakness in the abdominal wall.
These hernias usually form as we age and the abdominal wall tissue weakens as a result of heavy lifting and other strenuous physical activities over the years. Gaining a significant amount of weight can lead to weakened areas, too, and so can chronic coughing and chronic constipation..
Indirect inguinal hernias are often present at birth. They occur during fetal development when a portion of the abdominal tissue passes through an opening in the abdominal wall called the deep inguinal ring.
In males, the deep inguinal ring provides the opening for the testicles to descend into the scrotum. As a result, like direct inguinal hernias, indirect inguinal hernias tend to be more common among males, although they can still develop in females.
Indirect inguinal hernias frequently don’t cause any symptoms initially, only causing issues later during childhood or adolescence. Because they’re “hidden” and don’t form a visible lump, they have a higher risk of becoming “trapped” and causing serious medical problems that may even be life-threatening.
Neither indirect nor direct inguinal hernias will go away on their own, and they can’t be treated with medication, either. Instead, hernias require surgical intervention to place the protruding tissue back in the abdominal cavity and to repair and strengthen the weak spot where the tissue is protruding.
Hernia surgery can be performed using a traditional approach with a larger incision directly over the hernia or using a minimally invasive approach with 2-3 very small incisions and special instruments.
Minimally invasive surgery, sometimes called laparoscopic surgery, involves a special lighted scope used during the procedure. This scope uses a tiny camera to capture real-time images that help guide the surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery is typically associated with a faster recovery compared with traditional surgery, but both techniques can provide excellent long-term results.
Hernias require prompt medical treatment to avoid serious complications like strangulation or incarceration. To learn more about inguinal hernia treatment options and how surgery can protect your health, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.
