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Risk of strangulation for inguinal hernia

Posted , 3 users are following.

Phentis
Phentis

Is there any way to determine risk of an inguinal hernia strangulation via ultrasound, X-rays or any other method? After reading about how often people encounter complications, I would really like to avoid having a surgery if the risks are not that high for me.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 Phentis

    Posted

    There are other complications than strangulation that may arise from avoiding surgery. I avoided it for twelve years with my inguinal hernia. I felt no pain, so I figured it wasn't a pressing issue. But the hernia got bigger. Big enough so that my bladder slid through it. It still didn't hurt, but I had problems with peeing. It wasn't going to fix itself, so it was time to bite the bullet and get it done. Also, Urology used an ultrasound to determine my condition, so I imagine it would work for yours.

    • Phentis
      Phentis ctrix1

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing your experience! Looks like many people have issues with nerve entrapment, mesh or internal stitch detachment. The only reason I would like to delay the surgery is that I hope a few years from now there will be something better than the current method of repair with mesh. I am in my twenties, and I doubt mesh will be good for another 50 or so years in my body.
  • Ulfgar
    Ulfgar Phentis

    Posted

    Understand your reluctance to go for surgery - me too! I was advised the risk of strangulation was statistically very small and that 'watch and wait' was a perfectly sensible and safe strategy if your symptoms are not bothersome. But a) you should make sure you know the signs and symptoms to watch out for, b) you should discuss it with your GP or specialist in case there are particular issues in your case. Unfortunately there is no way to predict which hernias will strangulate and which won't, seems to be largely luck of the draw.

    All the best, whatever you decide.

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