An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine or abdominal fat protrudes through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall muscles into the groin. There are two main types of inguinal hernia: indirect and direct. Risk factors include congenital defects, heavy lifting, straining, obesity, and chronic coughing. Symptoms include a bulge or discomfort in the groin area that may increase with straining. Treatment options include surgery to repair or replace the weak muscle wall, with risks of complications like infection, recurrence, and pain.

1. • Subject: Adult Health Nursing
• Topic: Inguinal Hernia

2. Inguinal Hernia
• An inguinal hernia is a condition in which
intra-abdominal fat or part of the small
intestine, also called the small bowel, bulges
through a weak area in the lower abdominal
muscles.
• An inguinal hernia occurs in the groin (the
area between the abdomen and thigh)

3. Pathophysiology
• Abdomen is the favorite target spot where the
maximum numbers of hernias like to develop.
• If the abdominal wall is not strong enough and
has some kind of a weakness, it can evolve
into a rupture or defect or hole that is
localized.
• Through this orifice or rupture abdominal
organs and adipose tissue may push through
and bulge out.

4. Types of Inguinal Hernia
The are two types of
inguinal hernia i.e
• Indirect inguinal hernia.

5. Conti…
• Direct inguinal hernia.

6. Causes of Hernia
Usually there is no cause of hernia
• Congenital hernia
o Inguinal ring does not close as it should just
after birth
o Premature infants
• Degeneration of connective tissues of
abdominal muscles

7. Conti….
• Heavy lifting objects
• Any activity that raises pressure inside the
abdomen
• Strainning while using the toilet
• Chronic constipation
• chronic coughing

8. Conti…
• Enlarge prostrate glands
• Obesity
• Ascities (fluid in the abdomen)
• Malnutrition
• Smoking

9. Sign and Symptoms
• Discomfort or pain
• The growth may increase in size when patient
cough, bend, lift or strain

10. Treatment
Operations
• Herniotomy (operate the sac)
• Herniorrhaphy (repairs of the defect in the
musculature)
• Hernioplasty (is a hernioraphy in which extra
material such as monofilament nylon or
implants of Teflon are introduced for wide
deficiencies)

11. Complications
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urinary retention
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Hernia re-occurrence
• Injury to internal organs
• Bleeding
• Wound infection
• Painful scar

12. Nursing diagnoses
• Activity intolerance
• Acute pain related to disease
• Swollen protrusion of tissue related to weaker
abdominal wall
• Risk for infection
• Risk for injury

13. Nursing interventions
• Apply a truss only after a hernia has been
reduced. For best results, apply it in the
morning before the patient gets out of bed.
• Assess the skin daily and apply powder for
protection because the truss may be irritating.
• Watch for and immediately report signs of
incarceration and strangulation.

14. Conti…
• Closely monitor vital signs and provide routine
preoperative preparation. If necessary, When
surgery is scheduled
• Administer I.V. fluids and analgesics for pain
as ordered.
• Control fever with acetaminophen or tepid
sponge baths as ordered.
• Place the patient in Trendelenburg's position
to reduce pressure on the hernia site.

15. References
• Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases
Information Clearinghouse.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs
/inguinalhernia. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
• Patient information for laparoscopic inguinal
hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American
Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?
doc=PI06. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.