When a tissue or organ tears part of the abdominal wall, it is called a hernia. When this condition occurs, tissue usually protrudes through the weakest point in the abdominal wall or abdominal muscles. An inguinal hernia is a type of hernia that occurs in the groin area, specifically protruding from the inguinal canal, which can be very painful and, in some cases, life-threatening. CausesThe causes of an inguinal hernia differ from person to person. During male prenatal development, the testes descend along the inguinal canal and into the soon-to-be-developed scrotem. In some cases, adolescent and adult men have weak spots near the inguinal canal, where the spermatic cord enters the scotem, leaving the lining of the perineum more susceptible to the development of a hernia. This is more common in men, as some men do not have an inguinal canal that closes properly after birth and development. A weak, pre-existing abdominal wall is one of the most common causes of inguinal hernia. The most common cause of this pathology is overwork. This includes anything related to heavy lifting, straining the abdominal muscles during urination and bowel movements, coughing, sneezing, and being overweight. Inguinal hernias can also develop later in life, when the abdominal wall weakens due to underuse or strenuous activity. Women are less likely to develop this type of hernia. When women are diagnosed, it is usually due to pregnancy, overstraining of the abdominal wall, or a combination of both. Signs/symptoms/diagnosisSome hernias can be seen and felt protruding from the stomach or outer abdominal wall. However, because an inguinal hernia occurs inside the abdomen, there are very few signs to tell if a patient...... middle of paper...... a priscope and two or three other surgical tools. Three small incisions are made, allowing the surgeon to insert and inflate a small balloon into the abdomen. Once this happens, the balloon is cut out, allowing a panoramic view of the hernia site. The protruding tissue is then tucked in and a small piece of medical mesh is placed and stapled over the torn area. It is a minimally invasive procedure, less painful and with a much shorter recovery time. Besides less pain and a shorter recovery, laproscopic hernia repair is preferable because it is stronger than "open" surgery, making it less likely to have a recurrent hernia. A few hours after the operation, the patient leaves the hospital. Recovery time is estimated between 3 and 5 days, with a full return to work, exercise and daily routine within two weeks..