Inguinal hernias may not be at the forefront of health discussions, but they're surprisingly prevalent, particularly among men. These hernias occur when soft tissue, typically part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The result? A noticeable bulge in the groin area, often accompanied by discomfort or pain, especially during activities like lifting heavy objects or straining during bowel movements.

• The good news is that inguinal hernias are highly treatable, primarily through surgery. Hernia repair surgery ranks among the most common surgical procedures globally, boasting a high success rate. Surgeons typically opt for either laparoscopic or open repair techniques, depending on the hernia's size and severity.
• Laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions and utilizing a tiny camera along with specialized instruments to repair the hernia. This minimally invasive approach offers advantages such as quicker recovery times and reduced postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery.
• On the flip side, open repair entails making a larger incision directly over the hernia site to manually push the protruding tissue back into place. Surgeons then reinforce the weakened abdominal wall using mesh to prevent recurrence.