Inguinal hernias: analysis of incidence, diagnosis and management of 172 consecutive adult cases at Igbinedion university teaching hospital Okada

Awe J.A.A¹*, Ugwi V² and Omon E.H³

¹(MBBS Ibadan; FWACS; FICS; DBLS; FRCS) Consultant General Surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

²(MBBS Benin) Surgical Registrar, Department of Surgery.

³(MBBS Ekpoma) Surgical Registrar, Department of Surgery

*Corresponding Author E-mail: doset2007@yahoo.com  

Accepted 19 July, 2014

Abstract

This study is to determine the incidence, pattern of clinical presentation, diagnosis and management at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital Okada. 172 retrospective and prospective consecutive cases of operated adult inguinal hernias at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria were studied with regards to incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. 172 cases were involved in this study out of which 102 patients were males (57.3%) and 70 females (40.7%); almost twice as common in males. Males are more involved in manual work and increased activities compared with their female counterparts. Their ages range between twenty (20) and seventy (70) years with a mean of forty five (45) years. Our findings showed: (a) the incidence of inguinal hernia in adults in our hospital was 1 per 1000 (b) the peak age distribution was in the 31-50 years age group and (c) males were more affected than females in the ratio of approximately 2:1. Eight (8) cases had diabetes mellitus and five (5) cases with enlarged prostate were excluded until after their prostate surgery. There were no deaths recorded in this study. Early diagnosis of patients with hernia followed by elective surgical treatment as soon as possible seems to be the best way to minimize the relatively high morbidity and mortality associated with inguinal hernias.

Keywords: Inguinal hernia, Incidence, Diagnosis, Management.