Inguinal Hernia: A 7 Year Experience in a Secondary Hospital Damaturu North Eastern Nigeria

Background: Globally, inguinal hernia is the most common type of abdominal wall hernias. Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common general surgical operations second only to appendicectomy. Access to surgical repair is limited resulting in many patients developing long- standing inguinoscrotal hernias associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Patient and Methods: The study reviewed inguinal hernia patients aged 10years and above managed between January 2007 and December 2013. Results: A total of 424 patients had inguinal hernial repair age ranged from 10 90 years with a median of 37 years. Four hundred and four were males while 20 were females with a male to female ratio of 20.2: 1. Two hundred and eighty seven were farmers, 59 were laborers and artisans. The duration of symptoms ranged from 3 weeks to 26 years. Coexisting medical conditions were hypertension in 46 and diabetes in 21. There were 317 indirect hernias, 78 were direct hernias. At diagnosis, 84 were obstructed while 9 were strangulated. Complicated hernias were operated as emergencies. Anesthetic techniques were local in157, spinal 113. Nylon Darning in 444 hernias and in 3 mesh used. There were 6 bowel resection and anostomosis. The postoperative complications included surgical site wound infection, and scrotal hematoma. There were 3 deaths.