Hernia Knowledge Center

An inguinal hernia (medically: inguinal hernia) is one of the most common surgical conditions worldwide. In Germany alone, over 300,000 inguinal hernias are operated on every year. Men are particularly affected, but women and children can also develop an inguinal hernia. The central question that many patients ask themselves is: “Do I need surgery on my inguinal hernia immediately or can I wait and see?”

In this article, we explain when an operation is necessary. We also show the risks of an untreated inguinal hernia. We also present modern, minimally invasive procedures. These include the TAPP method (transabdominal preperitoneal meshplasty).

Keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) has established itself as the gold standard in hernia surgery worldwide – including for the treatment of femoral hernias. This technique is performed through small skin incisions (approx. 5-10 mm), which minimizes pain, wound healing problems and scarring.

Advantages at a glance:

• Barely visible scars
• Significantly less pain
• Low risk of infection
• Rapid mobilization
• Outpatient implementation possible
• Also ideal for bilateral or recurrent hernias

Many patients diagnosed with an inguinal hernia ask themselves the question: Does a hernia really always need to be operated on? Are there cases in which surgery can be avoided? The short answer is: Not every inguinal hernia needs to be operated on immediately. But a hernia can only be healed permanently with an operation. In this article, we explain when a hernia can be treated without surgery. We also show when surgery is necessary.

You will learn what determines whether surgery is necessary, what types of hernia there are (e.g. small asymptomatic vs. larger ones with symptoms) and why an individual medical assessment is always important in the end. We also shed light on when a hernia becomes dangerous and when there is no time left for conservative treatment. The aim is to give medical laypeople a clear and well-founded insight. We use the advice from our hernia center VenaZiel in Berlin.

An abdominal wall hernia often appears as a soft protrusion in the abdomen or groin (here a small umbilical hernia). An abdominal wall hernia occurs when a gap forms in the abdominal wall and internal organs (usually peritoneum or parts of the intestine) push outwards through this opening. A visible or palpable protrusion (hernia) can often be seen from the outside. The causes are usually weak points in the tissue in combination with increased pressure in the abdominal cavity – for example when lifting heavy loads or prolonged coughing.

An abdominal wall hernia does not heal on its own: in most cases, the gap remains permanently or even increases in size without treatment. The good news is that hernias can be treated very well today.

Hernia operations are among the most common routine surgical procedures – in Germany alone, over 350,000 hernia operations. Patients can therefore be confident that a great deal of experience and modern technology are available for safe treatment.

Many people regularly suffer from a bloated stomach, constipation or an unpleasant feeling of fullness – often without an identifiable cause. Dietary changes, probiotics or exercise hardly help. What many people don’t know: These symptoms can indicate a hidden abdominal wall hernia – even without a visible protrusion. Inguinal, incisional and umbilical hernias in particular can affect digestion due to internal irritation.

How can a hernia cause digestive problems?

A hernia occurs when abdominal contents push through a gap in the abdominal wall.