Hernias occur when there is a protrusion or bulge detected at an area of the body where it normally should not be, and the abdomen is the most common site of such an occurrence. Among the numerous types of hernia is the inguinoscrotal hernia. Better known as inguinal hernia, it is medical condition characterized by a protrusion at the inguinal canal.
An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of the small intestine or the fat within the abdomen protrudes through a region of the abdomen’s lower muscles that is rather weak in strength or toughness. Specifically, the fat or small intestine section goes through the ring or opening of the inguinal canal. This is a passage that can be found in the body’s front abdominal wall.
The role of the inguinal canal in the reproductive system depends on the person’s gender. In men, it contains the spermatic cord, which goes from the abdomen to the testes. In women, it carries the round ligament of the uterus.
There are two types of inguinoscrotal hernia: direct inguinoscrotal hernia and indirect inguinoscrotal hernia. Direct inguinal hernia is triggered by a degenerative condition of the connective tissue that comprises abdominal muscles, thus causing them to weaken. The indirect version, which is more common, occurs when the inguinal canal fails to close, as it should, after birth, consequently allowing possible entrance by the small intestine or fat.
Inguinoscrotal hernias occur regardless of age group. Men, however, have a higher occurrence of the disorder than women. In fact, direct inguinal hernia appears exclusively in males.
The inguinoscrotal hernia can be caused by factors such as muscle pulls or strains, heavy lifting, chronic coughing and weight gain. It appears as a protrusion at either side of the groin or both sides of it. In such cases, the patient may feel pressure, sharp pain, or pressure in that area. Some men with inguinoscrotal hernia may also have a swollen scrotum, which is the sack that contains the testes.
Physicians usually treat less serious cases of inguinoscrotal hernia by massaging it to make the bulge disappear. This causes the part causing the bulge to return to its original, intended area. More serious cases, which usually concern swelling, growth or being stuck, require surgical treatment using herniorrhaphy or laparoscopy. Left untreated, the condition can cause more severe symptoms such as infection, nausea, vomiting and even death of the small intestine area causing the hernia.