EVALUATION OF THE CLINICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF INGUINAL HERNIA

Abdominal wall hernias are frequently encountered in surgical practice accounting for 15% - 18% of all surgical procedures. Worldwide, more than 20 million hernias are operated per year. Lifetime risk of developing inguinal hernia is 15% - 27% in men and 3% in women. Itscommonly performed general surgical procedure that constitute more than 95% of all groin hernia repairs. However, in developing countries, quite a considerable percentage of it is not repaired or delayed repaired and that lead to a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the clinical, epidemiological profile and associated risk factors for inguinal hernia. Methodology: This observational study was conducted among 100 patients during March 2019 to March 2020 who admitted in the surgery department of a General Surgeryfor inguinal hernia surgery. All the study subjects were examined and their clinical and epidemiological profiles studied, tabulated and analyzed. Results: Among the 100 patients, most of them (94%) were men with an age of 57.02 ± 12.87, farmer (36%) by occupation.61% patients were in low sacio-ecenomic status. Most of the patients (60%) were in the age group of 40-60 years followed by less than 30 years (21%). on query regarding symptoms of inguinal hernia, all of them (100%) complaints of groin swelling. more than half of the patients complaints of groin pain and sensation of heaviness in groin. On clinical examination, right sided, left sided, bilateral hernias were found in 49%, 45% and 6% study patients respectively. Direct hernias, indirect, pantaloons hernias were seen in57%, 30%, 7% study patient respectly. Most of hernias (81%) were reducible and were incomplete (88%). Most of the patients (75%) presented late to the health care center due to the lack of awareness of the disease and were initially treated by homeopath medicine. During query about risk factors for inguinal hernia, 46% patients were more than 50 years of age and 26% patients were smoker. Total open procedure was 93% and laparoscopic hernia repairs were done only in 7% patients. Conclusion: In this study, we found that male are more affected than male. Right sided and direct hernia is more common. Most of the patients from low socio-ecenomic condition and main risk factors are old age, smoking, lifting heavy objects prostatism and constipation. Most common hernia repair procedure were Lichtensteinsprocedure.