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General description of disease condition requiring surgical procedure.

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I. Introduction
General description of disease condition requiring surgical procedure.
About 75% of all hernias are classified as inguinal hernias, which are the
most common type of hernia occurring in men and women as a result of the
activities of normal living and aging. Because humans stand upright, there is a
greater downward force on the lower abdomen, increasing pressure on the less
muscled and naturally weaker tissues of the groin area. Inguinal hernias do not
include those caused by a cut (incision) in the abdominal wall (incisional hernia).
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 700,000 inguinal
hernias are repaired annually in the United States. The inguinal hernia is usually
seen or felt first as a tender and sometimes painful lump in the upper groin where
the inguinal canal passes through the abdominal wall. The inguinal canal is the
normal route by which testes descend into the scrotum in the male fetus, which is
one reason these hernias occur more frequently in men.
Hernias are divided into two categories: congenital (from birth), also called
indirect hernias, and acquired, also called direct hernias. Among the 75% of
hernias classified as inguinal hernias, 50% are indirect or congenital hernias,
occurring when the inguinal canal entrance fails to close normally before birth.
The indirect inguinal hernia pushes down from the abdomen and through the
inguinal canal. This condition is found in 2% of all adult males and in 12% of male
children. Indirect inguinal hernias can occur in women, too, when abdominal
pressure pushes folds of genital tissue into the inguinal canal opening. In fact,
women will more likely have an indirect inguinal hernia than direct. Direct or
acquired inguinal hernias occur when part of the large intestine protrudes through
a weakened area of muscles in the groin. The weakening results from a variety of
factors encountered in the wear and tear of life.
Inguinal hernias may occur on one side of the groin or both sides at the
same or different times, but occur most often on the right side. About 60% of
hernias found in children, for example, will be on the right side, about 30% on the

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left, and 10% on both sides. The muscular weak spots develop because of pressure
on the abdominal muscles in the groin area occurring during normal activities
such as lifting, coughing, and straining during urination or bowel movements,
pregnancy, or excessive weight gain. Internal organs such as the intestines may
then push through this weak spot, causing a bulge of tissue. A congenital indirect
inguinal hernia may be diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or later in adulthood,
influenced by the same causes as direct hernia. There is evidence that a
tendency for inguinal hernia may be inherited.
Relevant and current statistical evidences or critical findings
An indirect inguinal hernia may develop at any age, is more common in
males, and is especially prevalent in infants younger than age 1. According to the
American academy of pediatrics about 5 out of 100 children have inguinal
hernias. The incidence is also high among clients 50 to 60 years of age and then
gradually decreases in older age groups. These hernias can become extremely
large and often descend into the scrotum. Indirect inguinal hernias typically
cause a bulge in the groin (at the top of or within the scrotum) and usually with
increased abdominal pressure. The bulge may or may not be painful. By
palpating the inguinal canal and asking the patient to cough while standing, one
can usually elicit the hernia. In fact, one can often times palpate an inguinal
hernia without invaginating the scrotum (as is typically taught in medical
school). Rather, by placing one's fingers over the inguinal canal and asking the
patient to cough, one can often feel the bulge against the lower abdominal
wall. As indirect and direct hernias are unreliably differentiated by physical exam
alone, the need to invaginate the scrotum to feel into the inguinal canal is often
more uncomfortable to the patient, than revealing to the physician. Rarely,
palpation is not even necessary, as the hernia is large enough to be visualized.

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I. Introduction General description of disease condition requiring surgical procedure. About 75% of all hernias are classified as inguinal hernias, which are the most common type of hernia occurring in men and women as a result of the activities of normal living and aging. Because humans stand upright, there is a greater downward force on the lower abdomen, increasing pressure on the less muscled and naturally weaker tissues of the groin area. Inguinal hernias do not include those caused by a cut (incision) in the abdominal wall (incisional hernia). According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 700,000 inguinal hernias are repaired annually in the United States. The inguinal hernia is usually seen or felt first as a tender and sometimes painful lump in the upper groin where the inguinal canal passes through the abdominal wall. The inguinal canal is the normal route by which testes descend into the scrotum in the male fetus, which is one reason these hernias occur more frequently in men. Hernias are divided into two categories: congenital (from birth), also called indirect hernias, and acquired, also called direct hernias. Among the 75% of hernias classified as inguinal hernias, 50% are indirect or congenital hernias, occurring when the inguinal canal entrance fails to close normally before birth. The indirect inguinal hernia pushes down from the abdomen and through the inguinal canal. This condition is found in 2% of all adult males and in 1–2% of male ch ...
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